Persistent Knobheadery

As more revelations about the Afghan data leak continue to come out, who will take the blame? And is an urgent inquiry needed to unpack the failings? Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Alys Denby.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer has suspended four of his MPs over repeated breaches of party discipline, or as one party source described it to the Times, “persistent knobheadery”. Was this a ruthless or desperate move from Starmer?Patrick Maguire unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer said Conservative ex-ministers have serious questions to answer over the Afghanistan data leak at the start of Prime Minister's Questions. But after that, no one seemed to want to mention it.Patrick Maguire unpacks the action with Sunday Times Whitehall Editor Gabriel Pogrund and former Conservative cabinet minister Sir David Lidington. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick Maguire is unpacking the politics of the day, asking James Marriott and Libby Purves whether Melania Trump changed the US president's mind over Putin, whether we should mourn the departure of billionaires, and why pessimism can be a force for good. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is a "working person" and who is on a "modest income"? Government ministers are pressed to say who could face higher taxes, as expectation mounts that the chancellor will have to act in the Autumn.Patrick Maguire unpacks the politics of the day with The Times' Seb Payne and Carol Lewis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

GPs are being told to stop handing out so many sick notes as part of the government's efforts to get more people back to work. And why are women turning to Reform?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Alice Thomson and Cindy Yu. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former Conservative Chairman Jake Berry is the second ex-Tory minister to defect to Reform this week, but is this working in Nigel Farage's favour?Hugo Rifkind is joined by Tim Montgomerie and Zoe Strimpel to unpack the politics of the day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer reiterated his tax pledges at PMQs as Kemi Badenoch accused him of 'flirting' with a wealth tax. Hugo Rifkind pauses and unpacks the exchanges from the Commons with Patrick Maguire and Jon Harvey.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer is hoping to use the French President's visit as a chance to talk migration, but will they reach a deal? Hugo Rifkind is joined by Times Columnists James Marriot and Sarah Ditum to unpack the politics of the day.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government could be facing another backbench rebellion, this time over its plans to reform special needs support. Why aren't the 'Starmtoopers' as loyal as the Prime Minister hoped?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.