Talking Politics

Henry Nowak murder: 'Incompetence' or 'two-tier policing'? 03.06.2026 34min

The murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak in Southampton last year has sparked national outrage and accusations from Nigel Farage of “two-tier policing”. But is there any evidence to suggest police are treating people differently based on their ethnicity, or was this just a case of “grotesque police incompetence”? On this week’s episode of Talking Politics, Tom and Robert react to the disturbing bodycam footage from the scene and examine how a tragic murder became a national political flashpoint. They also discuss Farage’s intervention in the case, the family's repeated calls for calm, and why he chose to speak out on the issue after weeks of avoiding media scrutiny.

How embarrassing are new Mandelson files for Labour? 01.06.2026 25min

A new tranche of files have been released today relating to the appointment of disgraced peer Lord Mandelson as US ambassador. But what do they include, and how embarrassing are they for Keir Starmer and his government?Tom Bradby and Robert Peston discuss what’s included in the documents - from private messages between senior Labour figures, to Mandelson telling David Lammy that the government would "never regret" his appointment as ambassador, and Pat McFadden’s criticism of the PM.Mandelson has said he regrets his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, denies criminality, and says his priority is to cooperate with the police and clear his name.

Andy Burnham is in but can he win? 18.05.2026 22min

Tom and Robert are joined by ITV News Investigations Editor Daniel Hewitt following his exclusive interview with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.Burnham is hoping to return to Westminster by winning the Makerfield by-election - a move already fuelling excitement among his supporters that he could become Labour leader, and even Prime Minister, by the summer.Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s other main challenger, former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, has confirmed he would stand in any future leadership contest. He’s also thrown his weight behind rejoining the EU, putting Brexit firmly back on the political agenda.With Nigel Farage’s Reform UK surging in the local elections, would changing leader prove Labour has completely "lost its mind", or could this finally be Burnham’s moment?

Keir Starmer: Is the coup over? 12.05.2026 19min

Keir Starmer is battling to stay in post and after a pivotal cabinet meeting, Tom and Robert are in Downing Street to gauge the mood of ministers. All eyes are now on his main challenger threat, Wes Streeting. With his backers already making moves to oust the PM - will the Health Secretary act? Meanwhile, with Andy Burnham seen on a train to London, will he take the risk of mounting a leaderhip challenge, despite the Mayor of Greater Manchester not having a seat in Parliament?

Can Keir Starmer survive this week as PM? 11.05.2026 33min

Is it too little, too late for the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer?That's the opinion of Labour MP Catherine West when describing Starmer's speech on Monday, as he fought to save his job following a bruising set of local election results and subsequent calls for his resignation.On this week's Talking Politics, Tom Bradby and Robert Peston look at whether there is a future for Starmer as PM.Describing Friday's local election results as tough, Starmer claimed the country was facing both "dangerous times" and "dangerous opponents"."If we don't get this right, our country will go down a very dark path," claimed the PM."I know people are frustrated by the state of Britain, frustrated by politics, and some people, frustrated with me," said Starmer."I know I have my doubters, I know I need to prove them wrong, and I will."Over the weekend, Labour MP Catherine West spoke out, issuing an ultimatum that if a member of the cabinet had not challenged Starmer over the leadership by Monday, she would gather the 81 signatures to launch one herself.Her most recent words appear to back down on this, but still build momentum on pressuring the PM to depart.Ms West said she is gathering the names of Labour MPs to call on Sir Keir Starmer to set a timetable for the election of a new leader in September.

Election results: Has Reform replaced the Tories as the party of the right? 08.05.2026 30min

With huge gains across England's council elections, has Nigel Farage's Reform UK become the main party of the right - or is it too soon to right the Conservatives off?On Talking Politics Tom Bradby and Robert Peston break down the results with ITV News Elections Analyst Professor Colin Rallings and Professor Jane Green from Nuffield College, University of Oxford.How much further can Reform go and on a massive day for Plaid Cymru and the SNP - what do results across England, Wales and Scotland mean for Labour and the future of the UK?

How Reform could cause an 'earthquake' in May elections 06.05.2026 27min

It’s going to be a seismic week for British politics, as millions of voters head to the polls across England, Scotland and Wales. In this episode of Talking Politics, Tom and Robert are joined by ITV News Elections Analyst Colin Rallings, to unpack what’s at stake in the crucial May elections. They break down the key councils in England to watch out for, and look at why devolved contests in Scotland and Wales could lead to the break-up of the UK. Plus - has Farage’s Reform party peaked, or could they still engulf the Conservative Party? And why could a hostile leadership contest after the elections mean people never vote Labour again?

McSweeney in the spotlight: new Mandelson evidence deepens crisis for PM 28.04.2026 26min

Keir Starmer has faced yet another day of scrutiny over his “disastrous” choice of Peter Mandelson as US Ambassador.On Talking Politics, Robert and Tom unpack why evidence from ex-foreign office official Philip Barton and the PM’s former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney exposed a series of missed opportunities and errors of judgement to stop the Mandelson appointment.Robert explains why the whole saga shows a “world of surreal madness” at the heart of government, and how it could be “existential” for the PM.Plus, reaction to yet another embarrassment for Starmer across the pond, as a leaked recording of the current US Ambassador threatens to overshadow the King’s state visit…

Starmer v Robbins: Why top official's evidence is 'devastating' for the PM 21.04.2026 28min

Keir Starmer is under fresh pressure over his controversial decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as US Ambassador. Explosive testimony from sacked top Foreign Office official Olly Robbins has revealed there was “constant pressure” from Number 10 to push the appointment through - raising serious questions about how the decision was made.On Talking Politics, Tom and Robert break down Robbins’ appearance at the Foreign Affairs Committee - and why the decision to sack him seems to have backfired on Starmer.Was Olly Robbins made a scapegoat? And could this scandal rival the scale of Partygate?Listen to this week’s episode to find out.

How bad could things get for the UK economy as Iran war bites? 14.04.2026 23min

Donald Trump’s blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz is underway but how long can it last, and have the Americans backed themselves into a corner? On Talking Politics, Tom and Robert examine why the blockade could become a “slow and painful” strategy. They also break down the latest “depressing” forecasts for economic growth from the International Monetary Fund, a major blow to the UK economic outlook. And with fresh warnings from former Labour Defence Secretary and ex-NATO chief Lord Robertson that Britain’s security is “in peril,” Tom and Robert discuss how Sir Keir Starmer should respond.

Sir Keir Starmer tells Talking Politics why Israel should stop attacking Lebanon 09.04.2026 31min

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has told ITV News' Talking Politics podcast that Israel is "wrong" to continue its strikes on Lebanon amid a ceasefire with Iran, saying it "should stop" as a "matter of principle".The exclusive interview with ITV News' Political Editor Robert Peston is the prime minister's first since the establishment of a fragile two-week ceasefire deal made between the US and Iran.

Starmer in Gulf: Will Iran ceasefire pull UK out of crisis? 08.04.2026 18min

A two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran has brought a moment of relief, but how stable is this fragile truce - and what comes next? In this week’s episode of Talking Politics, Robert joins Tom from Saudi Arabia where he’s travelling in the region with the PM ahead of an exclusive interview. Tom and Robert break down how Trump has been left humiliated by the deal, and discuss whether world leaders think the President has ‘lost his marbles’. Plus, they ask if the war signifies the end of Nato, or whether it’s just a bump in the road for the alliance.

Iran oil crisis: Is Rachel Reeves doing enough to keep energy bills down? 24.03.2026 17min

Rachel Reeves has vowed to support “those who need it most” if energy bills surge amid the Iran war - but is she already “boxed in”?In this week’s Talking Politics, Tom and Robert break down the Chancellor’s options and why Rachel Reeves is determined not to repeat the mistakes of Liz Truss.Could this spiral into a crisis on the scale of 2008? Robert gives his predictions for the long-term economic fallout of the conflict.Plus: why large bets placed just before Donald Trump’s peace talks announcement on Monday have triggered accusations of insider trading.

Trump and Starmer’s Iran fallout: Can UK keep out of the war? 18.03.2026 22min

Trump has ramped up attacks on Starmer, blasting his handling of the Iran war and claiming the special relationship was good "until Keir came along."On this week’s episode of Talking Politics, Tom and Robert discuss whether the UK–US partnership can survive - and how much Trump’s broadsides really matter.Starmer says he doesn’t want to get drawn into the “wider” war, but how long can that position hold?Tom and Robert are also joined by Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, to discuss the Iran war, why Canada is prioritising new alliances beyond the US, and whether the UK should cancel the King’s state visit to America.

Mandelson files released: Will they ruin Starmer? 11.03.2026 18min

The Mandelson files are out - and they raise serious questions. The new documents show Starmer was warned of a “general reputational risk” linked to Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein before Mandelson’s appointment as US Ambassador.In this episode of Talking Politics, Robert and Tom unpack the key revelations, ask whether Starmer can recover politically, and explore why Mandelson asked for a £500,000 payout after he was sacked And Robert reveals why reading the files made him feel like his head was exploding...

Could war in the Middle East wreck the UK economy? 03.03.2026 18min

Chancellor Rachel Reeves says the government has 'restored economic stability' despite downgraded growth forecasts for 2026, whilst the US-Israel war with Iran means narrow improvements in the economy revealed in her spring statement are likely to be overturned. On Talking Politics, UK Editor Paul Brand and Political Editor Robert Peston discuss what it means for energy prices, interest rates and economic growth - and whether the UK can afford to become further involved in the conflict.

What does US-Israel war with Iran mean for Starmer? 02.03.2026 23min

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced he will allow the US to use British bases for 'defensive' strikes on Iranian missile sites, but says the UK government 'will not join offensive action now'.Donald Trump says he’s ’very disappointed’ in Starmer and condemned the delay in making that decision.So is the UK at war with Iran and what does it mean for the UK-US special relationship?On this episode of Talking Politics Robert speaks to Julie Etchingham who is in Erbil, northern Iraq, about the escalating war in the Middle East and what it means for Starmer.

Green Party wins in Gorton and Denton | What it really means for British politics 27.02.2026 15min

Shockwaves are surging through British politics after a dramatic by-election in Gorton and Denton. In this episode of Talking Politics, Robert and Tom unpack what the Greens’ victory means for Labour - was Starmer “nuts” for not taking the left-wing party more seriously? And will he have to step down? With cries of dodgy practices and unfair treatment, they also discuss ‘family voting’ and whether it was an issue in the contest.

How Commons Speaker Hoyle tipped off police about Mandelson 'flight risk' 25.02.2026 25min

In a week that started with Peter Mandelson's arrest, and will end with a crucial by-election for the PM, Tom and Robert discuss whether Mandelson's arrest will prove terminal for Starmer.They unpack why Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle warned the Met that Mandelson was a flight risk - triggering his arrest.The former Business Secretary denies any wrongdoing, and says his overriding priority is to cooperate with the police investigation and clear his name.But will Mandelson's arrest define the PM's premiership?Tom and Robert discuss what could happen in this week's by-election in Gorton and Denton and how it could be the most important result of the PM's career.--Full list of candidates in the Gorton and Denton by-electionNick Buckley – Advance UKCharlotte Cadden – ConservativesDan Clarke – Libertarian PartyMatt Goodwin – Reform UKSir Oink A Lot – The Official Monster Raving Looney PartyJoseph O’Meachair – Rejoin EUSebastian Moore – Social Democratic PartyJacqueline Pearcey – Liberal DemocratsHannah Spencer – Green PartyAngeliki Stogia – Labour PartyHugo Wils – Communist League

The astronaut-turned-politician Trump wanted punished 'by death' 18.02.2026 27min

Meet Senator Mark Kelly: distinguished Navy Pilot, NASA astronaut and Democratic Senator for Arizona, but when Kelly urged service members to refuse illegal orders, Donald Trump said he should be punished “by death”.Trump later clarified, "I'm not threatening death, but I think they're in serious trouble."Now Kelly's contemplating a run for the Presidency himself.Tom sits down with the Senator to discuss the death threats and lawsuits that have followed, why he believes you need to "stand up to bullies" and his advice to the UK: "You don't want somebody like him in charge of the UK."Is the US a reliable ally? If he was still serving, would he obey orders to invade Greenland? And what lessons can the UK learn from the MAGA movement?