Politics Unpacked

What's The Point Of PMQs?

As Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer take a break from Prime Minister's Questions during recess, Patrick asks what their weekly joust teaches us, and whether it ever truly changes the political weather. He speaks to Tom Peck from The Times and Times Radio's Jane Garvey to both deride and defend PMQs, and two former party leaders about how to make an impact from the Chamber. Plus: Columnists Robert Crampton and Hadley Freeman on how the war in Gaza is reigniting the <a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/azhar-ali-latest-rochdale-labour-comments-keir-starmer-antisemitism-zqgn26cfd" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">left's antisemitism problems</a>, <a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/does-your-partner-peel-your-orange-for-you-its-the-real-relationship-test-j5vzdx72q" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">the relationship test trending on TikTok</a>, and the <a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/best-film-in-the-world-is-more-mash-than-smash-hglqkbmhv" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">great washing-up bowl debate.</a> What's The Point Of PMQs (23:42) Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:grey;" target="_blank">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Hugo Rifkind unpacks the the politics of the day - and the stuff that's even more important - with the brightest brains from the Times and Sunday Times. You can listen to Hugo on DAB, smart speaker or app 10am-1pm Monday to Friday. If you like what you hear, then read more at <a href="http://www.thetimes.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.thetimes.com/</a> Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:grey;" target="_blank">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.