Starmer's Damage Control

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 he still 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.