Talking Politics

ITV News

Political Editor Robert Peston and News At Ten Anchor Tom Bradby discuss and debate all the key talking points of the political week.

You can watch every episode on YouTube, ITVX and Spotify and listen on every podcast platform, including https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-politics/id1724952808 (Apple Podcasts). Hit subscribe on any platform to ensure you don't miss an episode.

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218 episodes
Updated July 22

Episodes218

Newest first

Sep 18, 2025 · 25 min
President Trump's state visit: Has Starmer's 'kowtowing' paid off?
Tom Bradby is joined by Political Editor Robert Peston and US Correspondent Dan Rivers from the Prime Minister's country residence Chequers, where he has just survived a press conference alongside the US President. Has Sir Keir Starmer, in spite all of his difficulties on the domestic front, played it perfectly with the world's most powerful man - and as a result, bagged billions upon billions of investment from some of America's top companies? Plus, Tom and Dan discuss: After his day at Windsor Castle, why is it that Donald Trump seems to love and respect King Charles and the Royal Family so much? Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com
Sep 16, 2025 · 39 min
Starmer’s leadership crisis worsens: How much trouble is he in?
He's already lost his deputy Angela Rayner, the questions are mounting over Peter Mandelson’s disastrous appointment, and now one of Keir Starmer's top aides Paul Ovenden has been forced to quit after an ITV News exclusive revealed his own shocking private messages. So how will the PM navigate the deepening leadership crisis without one of his key strategists? In Talking Politics, Tom Bradby and Robert Peston are joined by our Political Correspondent Shehab Khan, who exposed the PM’s aide's sickening messages about Diane Abbott, to assess the fallout from the story. Tom and Robert then discuss the looming threat to Starmer's position as he prepares to host Donald Trump's state visit and the emboldening of the far-right movement in the UK and US in the wake of the assassination of pro-Trump activist Charlie Kirk. Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com
Sep 12, 2025 · 21 min
Q&A: Does Angela Rayner deserve a pay off after resigning?
Should ministers like Angela Rayner get thousands of pounds in severance pay if they resign? In this Q&A Tom Bradby and Robert Peston answer that audience question and more, including: Will Rayner's resignation trigger more investigations into politicians and government officials to see what claims they’re making that they shouldn’t? Could Keir Starmer ever take Britain out of the European Convention on Human Rights? How can we have a Deputy PM in David Lammy who openly backs claims for reparations into the billions regarding slavery in the past? And after 10 years of social media churning ‘politics’ for entertainment, can it ever now stop being a soap opera? Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com
Sep 11, 2025 · 20 min
Mandelson sacked over Epstein revelations: Reaction and analysis
Keir Starmer has sacked Peter Mandelson as Britain's UK ambassador to the US following the release of more damaging emails he sent to Jeffrey Epstein. In this emergency episode of Talking Politics, Tom Bradby and Robert Peston react to the continued fallout after the bombshell birthday book revelations and assess the damage to the prime minister and the Labour government. Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com
Sep 10, 2025 · 35 min
Why the Mandelson-Epstein birthday book revelations are CATASTROPHIC for Keir Starmer
The Jeffrey Epstein birthday book revelations have further implicated Donald Trump and Bill Clinton and forced a grovelling apology from the UK Ambassador to the US’s Peter Mandelson. In Talking Politics, Robert Peston and Tom Bradby examine why Mandelson’s past letters to the convicted paedophile financier - released now by a US congressional committee - are so catastrophic for Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The duo analyse how Kemi Badenoch used the issue to finally dominate at PMQs, compare Mandelson’s precarious political predicament with Angela Rayner’s recent resignation over unpaid stamp duty and discuss the other biggest headaches facing Starmer heading into Autumn’s Budget, including why tax rises are now inevitable.Got a question for Tom and Robert? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com and we’ll answer it in our weekly Talking Politics Q&A show Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com
Sep 5, 2025 · 24 min
Angela Rayner OUT, Farage gloating: Is Starmer more vulnerable than ever?
After a momentous day in British politics, Julie Etchingham is joined by Political Editor Robert Peston and Political Correspondent Harry Horton who is at the Reform UK conference in Birmingham. Angela Rayner finally fell on her sword, triggering a major reshuffle of Starmer's top team. David Lammy is stepping up as his deputy, Yvette Cooper becomes Foreign Secretary, and Shabana Mahmood fills in as Home Secretary. Is that the end of the chaos in Westminster for now - or is it just beginning? Meanwhile, Harry Horton joins us from Birmingham where Nigel Farage kicked off Reform UK's biggest-ever conference in high spirits. He talks us through some of the familiar faces there, and why party members see it as a watershed moment for their movement. Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com
Sep 3, 2025 · 26 min
Q&A: When did politicians STOP answering the question? Is this year Rachel Reeves’ last chance to fix the economy?
In this Q&A Tom Bradby and Robert Peston answer some of our audience’s burning questions, namely: When did politicians first stop answering the question? And what are your strategies to make them answer it? The cost of living crisis is getting worse and Rachel Reeves appears clueless to fix it. So is this Autumn now her last chance? If Britain is broke, why do we need to give money to wealthy pensioners? Got a question for the team? Email us on talkingpolitics@itv.com or comment on our social media posts. You can catch up with the latest episode of Talking Politics on ITVX, YouTube or on your favourite podcast platform. Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com
Aug 27, 2025 · 24 min
Why is Nigel Farage rowing back on his party's immigration policies?
In this special episode of Talking Politics, Tom Bradby is joined by Scotland Correspondent Peter Smith to discuss Reform, immigration and Nigel Farage’s latest ‘flip-flop’. Why did Mr Farage today change his tune on his party’s immigration policy for women and children, after saying at a press conference just yesterday that ‘absolutely anyone’ who comes here illegally will be detained and deported? How do Reform’s immigration policies in general hold up to scrutiny? And why could tackling the small boats crisis determine which party wins the next general election? You can catch up with the latest episode of Talking Politics on ITVX, YouTube, or on your favourite podcast platform. Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com and we'll answer them on our Talking Politics Q&A show. Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com
Aug 26, 2025 · 27 min
Why did the UK side with the 'tech bros' over Britain's creatives in AI battle?
In this special episode of Talking Politics, Film director turned Member of the House of Lords Baroness Beeban Kidron exclusively tells ITV News why she thinks the government is pushing the Artificial Intelligence Bill, and siding with the big tech companies. She tells us why celebrities like Elton John and Dua Lipa are backing her campaign to stop the government from using copyrighted creative work to train AI and what AI-produced films could mean for the industry. You can catch up with the latest episode of Talking Politics on ITVX, YouTube, or on your favourite podcast platform. Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com
Aug 18, 2025 · 23 min
Ukraine peace talks at the White House: Has Zelenskyy evaded Putin's 'trap'?
In this emergency episode of Talking Politics, Tom Bradby is joined by Global Security Editor Rohit Kachroo and US Correspondent Dan Rivers to react to the talks hosted by President Trump at the White House today. Is this a major step towards real, lasting peace in Ukraine - or has the difficult part of the discussions only just begun? What will the possible Ukraine-Russia-US meeting have in store - and is there any agreement on territories that will satisfy the different demands of Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy? You can watch all episodes of Talking Politics on YouTube or the news section of ITVX. Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com
Aug 11, 2025 · 27 min
Nicola Sturgeon's 'searingly personal' interview with Julie Etchingham
In this special episode, Julie Etchingham is joined by ITV News' Scotland Correspondent Peter Smith to discuss her exclusive interview with the former First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon. Julie reveals how Sturgeon is "lifting the lid" on some deeply personal matters - and Peter explains how the "formidable" politician was one of the few people he would get nervous about interviewing. They also reflect on some of the biggest moments of her titanic career, such as her relationship with Alex Salmond, her arrest in 2023, her attempt at gender recognition reform and much more. You can watch 'Nicola Sturgeon: The Interview' on ITVX and on the ITV News YouTube page. And, you can catch up with the latest episode of Talking Politics on ITVX, YouTube or on your favourite podcast platform. Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com and we'll answer them on our Talking Politics Q&A show. Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com
Aug 6, 2025 · 17 min
Q&A: Are the far left finished in UK Politics? What are the chances of a coalition government in 2029?
In this Q&A special Tom Bradby and Robert Peston answer our audience’s questions, namely: Are the far left finished in UK politics? Or could Jeremy Corbyn’s new party pose a threat to Labour? What are the odds of our next government in 2029 being a coalition? Will Reform end up defeating itself? And could you ever see Nigel Farage leading the Conservatives? Got a question for the team? Email us on talkingpolitics@itv.com or comment on our social media posts. You can catch up with the latest episode of Talking Politics on ITVX, YouTube or on your favourite podcast platform. Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com
Jul 28, 2025 · 20 min
Trump talks at Turnberry: The new deadline set for Russia
On this special edition of Talking Politics, Carl Dinnen joins Tom Bradby from President Trump’s golf course in Turnberry where he hosted Prime Minister Keir Starmer for talks. Tom asks Carl what it was like being in the room with the two very different leaders and what he made of the issues discussed, including: Trump’s shifting position on Putin and the new ceasefire deadline How well Keir Starmer is handling the UK/US relationship with Trump in power Trump and Starmer’s positions on the starvation crisis in Gaza The awkward moment Trump reignited his beef with the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan Why Trump struggled with deflecting questions about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein Got a question for our Q&A show? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com
Jul 23, 2025 · 24 min
Why Starmer was EXPOSED in front of MPs | Could Farage really deport prisoners? | Why is the PM's team so secretive?
What’s the problem at the heart of Nigel Farage's new prison pledge? And why was Keir Starmer so unprepared to talk poverty? With Tom Bradby away, Paul Brand joins Robert Peston to discuss that, plus: - Why Kemi Badenoch’s reshuffle may have surprised James Cleverly - Can the PM placate Donald Trump during his golfing holiday in Scotland? - Why are UK officials - unlike other nations - so reluctant to reveal details of the PM’s movements? Got a question for our Q&A show? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com
Jul 16, 2025 · 34 min
Why the Afghan data breach is so unnerving | Britain’s foreign policy FAILS | Trump’s state visit dilemma
Why is the Afghan data breach so unnerving? And why was Keir Starmer kept in the dark by his defence secretary? In this episode of Talking Politics, Tom Bradby and Robert Peston discuss that plus… Why lessons are still to be learned from Britain's past foreign policy failings How Keir Starmer and Donald Trump might have approached the Blair-Bush Iraq conflict The US President’s changing tactics in dealing with Vladimir Putin Why Trump and King Charles’ differing visions for the state visit is causing Downing Street kittens Got a question for Tom and Robert? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com and we'll answer them on our Talking Politics Q&A show. Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com
Jul 11, 2025 · 26 min
Q&A: Should Labour target Reform voters?
WATCH the full episode here: https://youtu.be/T2wBEjJcaVQ On this episode of Talking Politics Q&A, Tom Bradby and Robert Peston dig into how moves to court Reform voters will only damage Labour. Plus, they answer: Who is the Norman Tebbit of politics today? Is Nigel Farage's £250,000 offer to non-doms to avoid tax good politics? Why does standing in the Mayoral Elections cost £10,000? How can the Lib Dems take advantage of Labour and Tory failings? Got a question for Tom and Robert that you want featured in next week's show? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com and we'll answer them on our Talking Politics Q&A show. Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com
Jul 9, 2025 · 47 min
Why we could all be carrying ID cards in new migration controls
What are the flaws in Britain and France’s new effort to control migration and stop the boats? Why could we all be carrying identity cards before the next election? Plus what is the difficult economic truth that ALL politicians need to start talking about? Tom Bradby and Robert Peston reveal all in Talking Politics… Got a question for Tom and Robert? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com and we'll answer them on our Talking Politics Q&A show. Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com
Jul 9, 2025 · 25 min
How Trump's reacted to Elon Musk’s new America Party
Another week, another public spat between Donald Trump and Elon Musk. This time it came after billionaire Musk announced he was launching a new party, the America Party, to challenge the Republican and Democratic "Uniparty".But what did Trump have to say about it, and will this feud ever end? On this week's Talking Politics USA, Tom Bradby and Robert Moore discuss the bromance that’s turned into a bust-up, and where Trump goes from here. Also on the show, President Trump and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer are very different leaders but are the challenges they face the same and what can they learn from each other? Want to get in touch? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com
Jul 4, 2025 · 19 min
Q&A: What's Labour’s next embarrassing U-turn?
WATCH the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eg_6UdoB3bM In this Q&A special coinciding with the one-year anniversary of Labour's general election win, Tom Bradby and Robert Peston answer our audience’s questions about the party and the government, namely: What's Labour’s next embarrassing U-turn? If Starmer continues to lose the faith of his party and the country, could he be forced to call a general election? The latest opinion polls show Reform slipping to only 2% ahead of Labour, with the Tories 10 points behind. So, is talk of a Labour crisis exaggerated? Why have we seen a rebellion within Labour about welfare reforms, but nothing when it comes to the genocide in Gaza? Got a question for the team? Email us on talkingpolitics@itv.com or comment on our social media posts. You can catch up with the latest episode of Talking Politics on ITVX, YouTube or on your favourite podcast platform. Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com
Jul 2, 2025 · 36 min
Why tearful Rachel Reeves presents a HUGE problem for Keir Starmer
On this episode of Talking Politics, Tom Bradby and Robert Peston dig into Labour’s governing woes and debate whether Sir Keir Starmer’s chancellor Rachel Reeves will pay the price. You can catch up with the latest episode of Talking Politics on ITVX, YouTube or on your favourite podcast platform. Got a question for Tom and Robert? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com and we'll answer them on our Talking Politics Q&A show. Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com