Talking Politics

Tom Bradby and Robert Peston discuss Defence Secretary John Healey's resignation, after a row with the prime minister over military spending, in which he accused Keir Starmer of making the country "less safe".

He wrote to the PM to resign with "great regret and reluctance", citing disagreements about defence spending ahead of the release of the delayed Defence Investment Plan (DIP).

Tom and Robert reflect on why this resignation is p...

Tom and Robert are joined by Northern Ireland Reporter Stewart Robson following a night of violence and unrest in Belfast after Monday's stabbing attack.

Stewart shares what he witnessed on the ground, describing a "real determination from some people to make it as dangerous as possible", and outlines the latest developments in the case - as the politicans, police and the victim's family call for calm".

Tom and Robert unpack how the ...

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 fo...

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 appoint...

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 He...

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 Great...

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 result...

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 an...

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...

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 &ldqu...

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 Foreig...

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 econo...

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 Presiden...

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 econom...

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 positio...

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 £500,00...

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 U...

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...