The Red Box Politics Podcast

The Home Office is squandering billions of pounds on asylum hotels in another damaging story for the government. Can Labour still call themselves the "grown ups in the room"? Calum Macdonald unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Plaid Cymru have swept to victory in Caerphilly, taking a Senedd seat that has been held by Labour for a century - will it convince Keir Starmer to change course?Alexis Conran unpacks the politics of the day with Daisy McAndrew and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shabana Mahmood says her department remains “not yet fit for purpose,” after The Times uncovered a secret report calling it dysfunctional and detached from reality. Should we be worried that we're still using that phrase, 20 years after John Reid first made it famous?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugo Rifkind unpacks this week's Prime Minister's Questions with Gabriel Pogrund from The Sunday Times and comedian Gráinne Maguire.After several grooming gang victims withdrew from the inquiry process, Sir Keir Starmer vows to deliver justice — but can he restore confidence in the investigation? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Virginia Giuffre's posthumous memoir reveals her abuse by Jeffrey Epstein and alleged encounters with Prince Andrew - claims he denies. Now, the disgraced royal faces pressure to disclose what he knows about Epstein's crimes and those who may have enabled them. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Conservative MPs Alicia Kearns and Tom Tugendhat have urged Keir Starmer to designate China a top-tier threat, calling his inaction a sign of weakness - but would such a label really change anything?Hugo Rifkind is joined by Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers to unpack the politics of the day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Prime Minister wants to lift the ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending their game against Aston Villa next month. But could it lead to violence?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Alys Denby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Conservatives all blame each other for the collapse of the China spy case, is everyone set to lose in the blame game?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and David Runciman live from the Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugo Rifkind unpacks PMQs alongside Patrick Maguire and Ayesha Hazarika live from the Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival.Badenoch challenges Starmer over the China spy case, but Starmer enjoys arguing over legal technicalities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does an embarrassing moment for Sir Keir Starmer on stage at the Egypt peace summit reveal something about the UK's influence on the global stage?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reform UK's Nigel Farage is preparing to drop his promise to deliver £90bn of tax cuts, saying his party will reduce public spending first. Is this a more credible position, and is it in response to Tory attacks?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Carol Lewis and Patrick Kidd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ceasefire in Gaza is underway after US president Donald Trump brokered a peace deal between Israel and Hamas. But how will he feel about missing out on the Nobel Peace Prize?Alexis Conran unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Alys Denby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Trump says Israel and Hamas have agreed to phase one of his plan for peace in Gaza. Is he on track for a Nobel Peace Prize? Plus, why is Matthew trying to avoid calling Nigel Farage by his name? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugo Rifkind unpacks Kemi Badenoch's speech to Conservative Party conference in which she pledged to scrap Labour's tax rises and abolish stamp duty. But has she discovered her own magic money tree?Plus: Margaret Thatcher also struggled to make an impact in her first year, how do the two leaders compare? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Jenrick has been announcing a series of policies at Conservative conference, and defending comments he made about the lack of 'white faces' in an inner-city area of Birmingham. Was he just making a point about integration? Is he trying to destabilise Kemi Badenoch's leadership? And, what does Badenoch's favourite author - Terry Pratchett - tell us about her?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Josh Glancy and James Marriott Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugo Rifkind unpacks the latest Times Radio Focus Group with James Johnson of JL Partners.Kemi Badenoch has failed to make an impression on these 2024 Conservative voters so far, but which of her potential rivals do they compare to Martin Lewis? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood says the pro-Palestine protests after the Manchester synagogue attack were "fundamentally un-British". But can the authorities stop them?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Daisy McAndrew and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government says the UK is too attractive to refugees and says it will end the 'Golden Ticket' of resettlement and family reunion rights. But will it stop people crossing the channel?Plus, reaction to the attack on a Manchester synagogue. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reform UK says Keir Starmer's attack on Nigel Farage risks inciting violence. Has Labour been guilty of playing the man, not the ball?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Robert Crampton and Phil Tinline. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour Party Conference began with much speculation about the Prime Minister's survival. Is he out of the danger zone - and if so - for how long?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Maguire and Ayesha Hazarika Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel Reeves has delivered her speech to Labour Party conference, warning of 'harsh global headwinds' and harder choices to come. Is she laying the ground for a brutal autumn Budget, and did she look like a chancellor secure in her job?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the speech with Joe Mayes and Megan Kenyon. He also speaks to Bill Esterson, chair of the Commons Energy Security and Net Zero Committee, about whether the government is making the case to the public for net zero. This bonus episode is brought to you by SSE, from the Labour Party conference. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugo Rifkind unpacks the latest Times Radio Focus Group with Tom Lubbock of JL Partners. What do these 2024 Labour voters think about Keir Starmer and the government, and will they back him again to keep out Nigel Farage? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer urges liberals to take on the populist right as he confirms plans for mandatory digital ID cards. But has the prime minister worked out how to tackle Nigel Farage's Reform UK?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Emma Duncan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham says he's been privately urged to challenge Keir Starmer. Could the so-called King of the North return to parliament and run for leader?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Ed Davey claimed the Lib Dems were the last block against Nigel Farage's 'forces of darkness', why does he spend so much time talking about Reform UK and Donald Trump?Hugo Rifkind is joined by Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton to unpack the politics of the day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day, including Donald Trump's unproven claim that paracetamol in pregnancy increases the risk of autism, and Reform's claim that its latest migration policy will save hundreds of billions of pounds.With James Marriott and Sarah Ditum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ed Davey has called Elon Musk a criminal and promised a crackdown on 'doomscrolling' - but is Nigel Farage's latest migration announcement stealing attention from Lib Dem conference?Hugo Rifkind Unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After another public row between Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana, 'Your Party' looks like it may not get off the ground - but could a more serious left-wing threat to Labour come from Zack Polanski's Green Party?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Giles Dilnot and Alys Denby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump says America owes the UK for its legacy of free speech - but why do some Republicans believe the hallmark of modern Britain is censorship? Hugo Rifkind is joined by Manveen Rana and Matthew Syed to unpack the politics of the day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Keir Starmer's migrant returns deal with France is in disarray after a judge paused an Eritrean man's deportation hours before he was due to fly - will the one-in, one-out scheme ever get off the ground?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Danny Kruger - who has called for a "revival of faith" in Britain - has been tasked with preparing Reform for government. Is religion playing a bigger role in politics?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Danny Kruger becomes the first sitting Tory MP to defect to Reform UK, is he right to say the Conservative party is over? What can Kemi Badenoch do to stem the tide, and is Keir Starmer drinking in 'last-chance saloon'?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Carol Lewis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How bad is the fallout from the sacking of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador? With a State visit fast approaching, can Starmer recover - or is he a "dead man walking"?Ed Vaizey is joined by Alys Denby and Michael Binyon to unpack the politics of the day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer has sacked Peter Mandelson as the UK's ambassador to the US, after growing scrutiny over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the story with reaction from from Matthew Parris, Manveen Rana, Adam Boulton and Francis Elliot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi Badenoch was quick off the mark to challenge the prime minister over allegations about Peter Mandelson, repeatedly asking if Starmer was aware of their close friendship and if still he had "confidence" in the US Ambassador Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges from the Commons with Times' Chief Political Correspondent Patrick Maguire and comedian Ria Lina. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The field of candidates wanting to succeed Angela Rayner as deputy leader is growing, but will the contest inevitably end up as a referendum on Keir Starmer's leadership? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Kidd and Libby Purves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer's reshuffle has given key jobs to people seen as being from the "reforming right" of the party - is the government tilting towards a tougher, Blairite agenda? Or is it just lumbering from one set of priorities to another?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Angela Rayner has resigned as deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary after an independent report found she had broken the ministerial code for failing to pay stamp duty on her second home.Ed Vaizey brings you the full fallout from the major political shakeup, with reaction from The Times' Political Editor Steven Swinford and Labour Peer Thangam Debbonaire. Plus additional insight from Political Historian Nigel Fletcher and the Times' former Political Editor Philip Webster. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the Times Radio Focus Group, where Hugo steps outside the Westminster bubble to hear the opinions of ordinary voters.This week, it's a group considering voting for Reform UK at the next election. Hugo Rifkind is joined by pollster Guy Miscampbell, of JL Partners to find out why. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the first PMQs back after the summer break and Angela Rayner is fighting for her political life. Kemi Badenoch tells the prime minister to 'grow a backbone' and sack his deputy. Hugo Rifkind Unpacks the exchanges from the Commons with Sunday Times Whitehall Editor Gabriel Pogrund and Comedian Jon Harvey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Keir Starmer's birthday, and what better way to usher in his 63rd year than with a new "phase two" for his government - but did phase one go all that well? Hugo Rifkind is joined by Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd to unpack the politics of the day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Parliament is back from recess, and Keir Starmer has reshuffled his team in Downing Street - what do the prime minister's appointments tell us about his plans for a reset?Hugo Rifkind Unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.