Politics Unpacked

The MPs Who Don't Exist

Our new exclusive polling shows that both Labour and the Tories have some well-known frontbench spokespeople; the bad news is that some of them don't exist. Matt explores why fake politicians can poll better than real ones. Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss whether anyone cares if <a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/keir-starmer-sun-never-mind-the-ballots-interview-squirm-a-thon-zmc7q5h2f" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">politicians have done drugs</a>, why it's good to<a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/self-obsession-is-the-root-of-modern-loneliness-zbt0s7g5g" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> rub people the wrong way</a>, and what makes <a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nye-review-michael-sheen-burns-with-passion-in-nhs-origin-story-fwb0b9hrf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">political theatre worth watching</a>. Columnists: (02:50)The Big Thing: (23:23) 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.