Talking Politics

The Chancellor John Healey has delivered this year's budget pledging to put £100 in the pockets of millions of people to help with energy bills as well as well as aiming to provide the “breathing space” businesses and families needed. On today's episode of Talking Politics Tom Bradby and Robert Peston are joined by Political Correspondent Romilly Weeks and Economics Editor Joel Hills to react to the Chancellor's first budget. Whilst several announcements were made the team described it as "a slightly nothing budget" which won't rock the political boat - something Prime Minister Andy Burnham may well welcome.

In the week of his first Budget as PM, Andy Burnham has reignited the debate over freedom of movement with the EU, arguing that an “honest discussion” is needed about how immigration has changed since Brexit. On today’s episode of Talking Politics, Tom Bradby and Robert Peston examine Burnham’s case for freedom of movement, the economic arguments for closer ties, and whether the debate risks reigniting questions about race and immigration in British politics. Are we heading towards a fundamentally different, much closer relationship with the EU? They also assess the challenges facing Burnham and his Chancellor as they prepare to deliver the Budget, including rising energy bills, mounting pressure on the public finances and the risk of a crisis in government borrowing. Could a cautious approach buy the government time in an increasingly uncertain world, or does Britain need a more radical economic reset?

Nigel Farage has responded to revelations of racism and sexism in Reform UK for the first time since the year-long ITV Exposure investigation aired on Sunday (18th Oct) in full. Speaking to reporters at a rally in Plymouth, the Reform UK leader said some of the comments were "appalling", but insisted there was a “snobbery” in the response to the film. On this week’s episode of Talking Politics, Robert and Tom examine Farage’s defence of the party, his claims that Reform is being unfairly singled out by the media, and whether he addressed questions raised about the party’s vetting procedures. They also discuss President Trump’s comments about unrest in France, and how anti immigration rhetoric and Islamophobia connect right-wing movements in the US and UK. Could this approach energise a party’s core supporters while making it harder to appeal to more moderate voters?

Tom Bradby and Robert Peston assess the implications for Reform UK, after elected officials and election candidates for the party were filmed expressing racist and sexist views in an ITV Exposure undercover investigation. They assess the initial response by Deputy Leader Richard Tice and the future of Nigel Farage, as well as how damaging the revelations could be for the party, given its previous commitment to improving its vetting process for selecting electoral candidates. The full documentary: ITV Exposure - Undercover: A Year in Reform on Sunday, will air on ITV1 on October 18 at 10:20pm, as well as YouTube and ITVX. – Reform UK told ITV News: "Where members, activists and councillors have clearly behaved inappropriately, investigations have commenced. In some cases, there have been suspensions and due process must be followed. “Reform UK has improved and prioritised its vetting procedures, but from time to time, a handful of individuals who do not share our values will initially make it through vetting. This is the same for all organisations." Since recording this podcast Nigel Farage said it wasn’t possible to vet people for their future comments.

Tom Bradby and Robert Peston discuss the Green Party's passing of a 'Zionism is racism' policy at its conference. Greens leader Zack Polanksi did not vote on the policy and having avoided interviews since, what does it mean for his future? Party members also voted in favour of the establishment of a “single democratic Palestinian State in all of historic Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital”. Tom and Robert discuss what that means for British Jews and the future of a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. Speaking from the Conservative Party conference, Robert also gives his assessment of Kemi Badenoch's headline speech, in which the leader of the opposition finally confirmed the party's new inheritance tax policy.

Robert Peston and Julie Etchingham react to Andy Burnham's first Labour Conference speech as Prime Minister. Robert breaks down the announcement that Labour will drop the triple-lock on pensions if it wins the next election, including whether it will be enough to fund a new national social care service. Stood right at the front in the hall, Robert also explains what happened when the Prime Minister was lost for words mid-speech. Julie and Robert also analyse the announcement of a new commission on electoral reform and Burnham's 'tease' on the UK's future relationship with the EU.

Robert Peston and Julie Etchingham break down John Healey's first Labour Party conference as chancellor. Amongst some stage managed applause for comments on welfare and plenty of praise for Prime Minister Andy Burnham, the Chancellor also talked up British industry - following an announcement of £6 billion for Britain's shipyards. But Robert questions whether all the contracts will definitely go to British firms. A former junior treasury minister in the New Labour years, Healey gave his speech in a tie he lent to Gordon Brown almost 30 years ago. But Robert tells Julie of the 'massive difference' between the two chancellors. And with all eyes on Burnham's big speech on Tuesday, Robert and Julie discuss whether the Prime Minister will reform the pensions triple-lock to fund social care.

Burnham appeared to make it through his crucial first meeting with Trump unscathed, but is the people-pleaser PM prepared to stand up to the President? On this week’s Talking Politics, Tom and Robert are joined by Political Correspondent Romilly Weeks, hot off the prime minister’s plane back from New York. Romilly tells us how she managed to catch Trump’s eye to ask him a question, and reveals the advice Burnham was given on how to handle the President. Plus - what do Trump's latest comments mean for the Chagos deal? And why did the President seem so "exhausted"?

Could AI really 'kill us all' by the end of the decade? That was the claim of a resigning researcher at AI giant Anthropic, which has caught the world's attention. Jacob Coxon said Anthropic, the company behind AI assistant Claude, was "racing straight to self-improving superintelligence" and "gambling" with the lives of humanity as a result. So are the explosive claims and others like it genuine or just a hyperbolic marketing strategy? On Talking Politics, Tom Bradby and Robert Peston discuss that and what power the UK government has to force regulation on a global industry dominated by the US and China. Having followed the technology's development and its political implications closely for many years, Robert also explains what the realistic threats are and why both the US and China have been reluctant to regulate until now.

Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has announced counter sanctions following the UK government's decision to ban imports from illegal settlements in the West Bank. On Talking Politics, Robert Peston and Daniel Hewitt discuss the timing of the decision, whether it has been driven by Labour Party politics and if it will actually help keep the possiblity of a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine alive.

The autumn Budget is looming, but rising borrowing costs could already be eating into Andy Burnham’s financial headroom. With the money available to deliver the 'radical' agenda he promised shrinking, the new PM and his Chancellor face tough choices: tax rises or spending cuts. Can Burnham make those difficult choices and take on some of Labour’s most politically sensitive commitments, including the welfare bill and the pension triple lock, or will his tendency to ‘people please’ hold him back? And with war in Iran continuing, driving up oil prices and impacting the health of the global economy, is Burnham’s biggest challenge the markets rather than his own MPs? Tom Bradby and Robert Peston discuss on this week's Talking Politics.

Andy Burnham has only been prime minister for a little over two weeks - but has already made an impression with his very different style of leadership to Sir Keir Starmer and raft of policies relating to the cost of living, social care, and more. He appears to have initially benefited from a bounce in the opinion polls, leading to some speculation about whether he will call an early general election. But how much of his plans actually stand up to scrutiny - particularly his proposals for devolution? And is the 'Burnham bounce' real or, with unfavourable headlines on the prisoner early release scheme dominating this week, is the honeymoon period already over? And does it give Reform UK and Nigel Farage the chance to bounce back? Tom Bradby and Robert Peston discuss on this week's Talking Politics.

Andy Burnham has kicked off his 'cost of living' government with a flurry of announcements - starting with removing VAT from household energy bills and restoring the £2 cap on bus fares in England. But he has already rowed back on a potential rise in the tax-free personal allowance. On Talking Politics, Tom Bradby and Robert Peston ask whether support is really being targeted towards those who most need it and whether it is ambitious enough to turn the country around. They also discuss his promise to end to factionalism, which coincided with a purge of the Starmerites. Tom also asks Robert to explain exactly what 'war bonds' are and whether some creative government accounting could actually help solve the defence funding dilemma. Plus Robert analyses what the abolishment of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology means for AI in the UK.

Andy Burnham is finally Prime Minister - so from bus fares to energy bills, what could it mean for you? Could a rise in the top rate of tax be on the cards, despite Labour's manifesto commitment? On Talking Politics, Robert Peston and Tom Bradby discuss what he can to do to address the top priority of making life more affordable for people up and down the country.

Andy Burnham is just days from entering Number 10 - but what do we know about who will be in his top team? In Talking Politics this week, Tom and Robert discuss who would be the best pick for Chancellor, and whether Ed Miliband’s Treasury dreams are over. They break down what the handover of power will look like over the next few days, and how it could be impacted by the World Cup… Tom and Robert also finish by reflecting on what the shocking murder of Ann Widdecombe could mean for British politics.

Nigel Farage has sent shockwaves through Westminster as he announced he would stand down as an MP but then contest the seat at the by-election. Is it all a stunt to distract from scrutiny over his financial support as opposition parties say? On this weeks’ Talking Politics, Robert is joined by ITV News Political Correspondent Harry Horton to discuss what this means for Farage’s political future. Labour say the saga is a ‘circus’, while the Tories accuse Farage of having a ‘hissy fit’. Robert and Harry discuss whether Count Binface could finally make it to Parliament, and whether Farage will come out of all of this looking ‘silly’.

Andy Burnham is headed for Downing Street and could be Prime Minister in just three weeks. But can he really deliver his bold vision without putting up taxes? In this episode of Talking Politics, Robert is joined by Harry Horton, fresh from Burnham's major speech in Manchester, to unpack his economic blueprint. From the promise to build more council homes to bringing essential services like energy and water back under public control, they explore Burnham's big ideas, his plans for a "Number 10 of the North", and ask: how will he pay for it? In the second half of the episode, Robert speaks to Carl Dinnen about another looming financial headache: Keir Starmer's Defence Investment Plan has exposed a £4.7 billion funding gap. If Burnham takes the keys to Number 10, how can he plug that hole while delivering his own ambitious programme for change?

Andy Burnham is on track to become Britain’s next prime minister, but we don’t yet know who he’ll pick as chancellor. Could it be Ed Miliband, or would he spook the markets? Perhaps Yvette Cooper is a safe pair of hands, or could Wes Streeting get the keys to Number 11 despite his “brazen disloyalty” to his last boss? On this week’s Talking Politics, Tom and Robert ask what a Burnham government could look like, and break down what his major policy changes could be. Plus, Peston gives his advice to the next PM on welfare, defence and the pension triple lock. Contains mild language.

Tom Bradby and Robert Peston are in Downing Street to discuss Keir Starmer's resignation, after he set a timetable for his departure as PM. Newly elected MP Andy Burnham has confirmed he will run to replace him as Labour leader. Tom and Robert break down what went so wrong for Starmer, less than two years after his landslide election win, and what obstacles could be in Burnham's way.

Andy Burnham’s big Makerfield by-election victory is set to reshape British politics as we know it. So what happens next? In this special Talking Politics episode, Tom Bradby and Robert Peston are joined by Election Analyst Professor Jane Green from Nuffield College, University of Oxford, to answer the key questions. Is Britain now waking up to a new prime minister? What does the Labour vote share in Makerfield tell us about potential voting in a General Election? Would Andy Burnham definitely perform better than Sir Keir Starmer? Could he call a General Election once he's prime minister? What does it mean for Reform’s chances at a national level? Are the Conservatives still in the picture? And is electoral reform now inevitable?