Share
Politics Unpacked
"It's going to be a you-know-what-show"
As MPs return to Westminster, Matt Chorley assembles a crack team of former political spin doctors to diagnose the problems in their parties, and their long-term chances of survival.
Katie Perrior, who was Theresa May's No10 director of communications, insists the PM is dead set against a second Brexit referendum: "She thinks it's highly divisive, when you go back on democracy. But will she choose it over getting fired? I don't know, that's politics."
Paul Ovenden, who was a Labour press spokesman until after last year's snap election, voices his despair at the party's failure to get a grip on the antisemitism row. He explains: "The problem is it is not just any political issue for Jeremy Corbyn or the people around him. The foundation of their politics is the idea that the West is a force for bad, a force for disruption of the Middle East and Israel is a big part of that."
Vanessa Pine, a former special adviser to Sir Vince Cable in the coalition government, admits her party has not made the progress it should have done in the last year: "There have been self-inflicted wounds."
More episodes
View all episodes
Tit-For-Tat Trade War
32:14|As the US and China continue their economic tit-for-tat, the UK is told that even a trade deal may not spare it from 10% tariffs. Can anyone win Trump's trade war?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Claire Fox.Trump Dumps Tariffs
35:02|About 13 hours after they came into force, President Trump announced a 90-day pause for his reciprocal tariffs everywhere - except China. Has Trump been intimidated? And will the UK ever get a trade deal? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Lara Spirit.Boys Will Be Boys
33:09|While the turmoil caused by Trump's tariffs continues, two members of his administration - Elon Musk and Peter Navarro - have traded blows about free trade. And, are the wealthy leaving London?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Robert Crampton and Jenni Russell.Will Trump's Cheerleaders Lose Faith?
30:15|Elon Musk has broken company with Donald Trump over tariffs - but will it make any difference, and will Trump's other billionaire supporters follow? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott.Starmer's Plan To Protect The Economy
28:24|Keir Starmer warns that the world has fundamentally changed, but does he have a plan to protect the British economy from Donald Trump's tariffs?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day, including the row over Labour MPs refused entry to Israel and the possible return of Jacob Rees-Mogg.Trump Tariff Turmoil
34:13|Donald Trump says he's pleased with the effect of his tariffs so far,...despite turmoil in markets, China retaliating and the start of a global trade war. Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Alys Denby.Trump Stokes A Trade War
33:49|Donald Trump has slapped tariffs on all imports to the US, although Britain gets off (relatively) lightly. Is this an example of a 'Brexit bonus'?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Manveen Rana.Carping From The Sidelines
38:08|Kemi Badenoch quizzes Keir Starmer over his handling of the economy and Labour's so-called "jobs tax".Hugo Rifkind unpacks the action from the Commons with Tim Shipman, Lara Spirit and the comedian Stuart Laws.No Free Trade Without Free Speech?
33:38|Could Britain's hopes of a free trade deal founder because of US concerns over free speech?Plus: Why Britain is stuck in a 'normie doom spiral', and what's the problem with instagram poetry?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott.