Talking Politics

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

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

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?

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

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?

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.