Talking Politics
Why is 10 Downing Street's door painted black? Are Labour now just Tories 2.0?
On this week's episode of Talking Politics Q A, Paul Brand is in the chair and joined by Deputy Political Editor Anushka Asthana to discuss the burning questions you want the answers to, including: Why is the Number 10 Downing Street door painted black? How much will the UK's economy influence voters' decision in the upcoming local elections? Is the UK government really still Labour or are they proving Tories 2.0 are in power? What could the future look like for those who operate small businesses under the new workers' rights? And why do some politicians say one thing to win votes and then switch once they're in government? Remember, if you have a question you want answering email us on talkingpolitics@itv.com. You can subscribe to Talking Politics on your favourite podcast platform and watch every episode on YouTube, Spotify and ITVX.
11 Apr 2025 - 17 min 26 sec
Exclusive: Keir Starmer addresses his AWKWARD past comments on Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin
In this episode of Talking Politics, we get an exclusive reaction from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer after we found an eye-opening clip from the ITV News politics podcast archive where he said he wanted Donald Trump out of power. Starmer made the comments to Paul Brand in 2020 for the Acting Prime Minister podcast, when he said he couldn’t choose between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin - and wanted to “change them both”. Robert Peston put those comments to the PM in a sitdown interview, while questioning Starmer on the UK’s response to the markets chaos sparked by Donald Trump’s international tariffs. Anushka Asthana meanwhile grills Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall on our audience’s huge concerns about the impact of the government’s welfare cuts. Then after a brief quiz, Anushka and Paul discuss whether Keir Starmer’s hopes of being a disruptor in politics are exactly what a majority of voters don’t want. Got a question for the team? Email us at talkingpolitics@itv.com Remember to subscribe to Talking Politics on your favourite podcast platform so you never miss an episode!
9 Apr 2025 - 26 min 14 sec
Why Donald Trump's tariffs are winning him some friends - but could push him and Elon Musk apart
U.S. President Donald Trump's taxes on imports into the country have been causing turmoil on global stock markets and sparking concern from all corners of America. But as the Talking Politics USA team explore, there are plenty of people still right behind Mr Trump. Host Lucy Watson, correspondent Robert Moore and former Trump appointee Matthew Bartlett discuss why the president is so keen to stick to his guns on tariffs and whether his fellow Republicans will stand by him. One person seemingly opposed to the idea is the world's richest man and Trump adviser, Elon Musk. So could this hasten his departure from the administration? Got a question for the Talking Politics USA team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com
7 Apr 2025 - 29 min 09 sec
Peston analyses Trump’s tariffs, why Number 10’s ‘euphoria’ will be short-lived and where the trade wars go next
In this special pop up episode, we asked Robert Peston to give his snap analysis after US President Donald Trump declared his extraordinary tariffs on all America’s international rivals and allies. Paul Brand sets out the questions and Robert delivers his expert answers as the world wakes up to a new trading world order and Sir Keir Starmer and his Downing Street officials consider their response to the 10% tariffs placed on the UK from the White House. We're talking politics every week but what is it you want to know? Email us on talkingpolitics@itv.com and we will discuss on the show. You can watch or listen to Talking Politics on your favourite podcast platforms, YouTube or ITVX.
3 Apr 2025 - 19 min 57 sec
Why is Badenoch repeating a false Adolescence conspiracy? Can the world bully Trump on tariffs? Plus how power has changed Rachel Reeves
In the latest episode of Talking Politics, Paul Brand, Robert Peston and Lewis Denison discuss: Why Kemi Badenoch is helping to spread a false conspiracy theory about Netflix hit drama Adolescence How the UK will look to react to Donald Trump’s tariffs and how low-income MAGA loyalists will be clattered by the US president’s protectionist policies Why Canada PM Mark Carney is best placed to lead a coalition of nations against the USA Whether UK consumers could boycott US goods in retaliation Why Nigel Farage and Reform will be tested on their loyalty to Britain AND Trump And finally, how power has changed Chancellor Rachel Reeves You can WATCH and SUBSCRIBE to Talking Politics on YouTube and Spotify. Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com
2 Apr 2025 - 24 min 31 sec
Trump turns on Putin, tariff 'Liberation Day' looms, Trump talks up a THIRD term, and Musk's $1m Wisconsin voter payments
Donald Trump could not hide his frustration over the lack of progress on a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire, saying he is 'p***ed off' at Vladimir Putin whilst also hitting out at Volodymr Zelenskyy for 'backing out' of a rare earth minerals deal. US Correspondent Dan Rivers, former White House staffer Laura Schwartz, and host Lucy Watson discuss where this leaves the Trump-Putin relationship, and whether he can still secure a ceasefire and peace deal. Also, the team discuss Trump's latest comments to NBC News about his plans for a third term in the White House being 'no joke'. Could it really happen, perhaps with JD Vance running for President then resigning, or is America heading for a constitutional crisis in 2028? Also on the agenda is Trump's tariff 'Liberation Day' on Wednesday, and whether Americans are as excited about the imposition of sweeping new tariffs as Trump himself is - and how it will affect store prices as well as key industries such as car manufacturing. Laura Schwartz describes how security really works inside the White House in light of the Houthi Signal group chat fiasco, and the team discuss why Elon Musk is controversially handing out $1 million dollars to voters ahead of Wisconsin's supreme court election on Tuesday. We're talking politics every week but what is it you want us discuss? Email us on talkingpolitics@itv.com You can watch Talking Politics on ITVX, YouTube or listen on your favourite podcast platform.
31 Mar 2025 - 34 min 45 sec
Should expenses be scrapped for MPs after their pay rise? And what role could Donald Trump's sons play in a MAGA dynasty?
In this brief episode of Talking Politics Q A, with Anushka Asthana away, Tom Bradby and Robert Peston answer a range of questions, namely: Isn't it time that all expenses for MPs and the Lords were stopped? Do you think Trump is grooming and positioning his sons to run for presidency in four years to ensure a Trump presidential dynasty and the extreme MAGA movement continues? Harvard economist John Kenneth Galbraith gave us the phrase: "the age of uncertainty". What age are we all living in now? And... fun and politics do not go in the same sentence - agree or disagree? Got a question for us? Email on talkingpolitics@itv.com You can listen or watch Talking Politics on Youtube, ITVX or your favourite podcast platform. Remember to subscribe so you NEVER miss an episode!
28 Mar 2025 - 17 min 24 sec
Spring Statement ‘fiction’, how far the UK is conceding to Trump on tariffs and trade, and do 'mediocre' MPs deserve their pay rise?
In this episode of Talking Politics, Tom Bradby is joined by Anushka Asthana (briefly) and Robert Peston for the duration to discuss: The “fiction” at the heart of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement Why Robert and Anushka have now both upset the Treasury The future challenges the UK faces in the era of Donald Trump and his tariff wars Why Robert is recoiling at the potential concessions the UK is making in trade talks in Washington And whether MPs - even the "mediocre" ones! - deserve their above inflation 2.8% pay rise Do you have a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com for our Friday Q A edition
26 Mar 2025 - 30 min 43 sec
Canada versus USA, outrage at Trump envoy’s Putin love-in and the painting that has made Donald RAGE!
In this episode of Talking Politics USA, Tom Bradby, Dan Rivers and Laura Schwartz react to the shocking pro-Putin sentiments being issued from Trump’s loyalists and the White House - in stark contrast to the brutality and war crimes Dan unearthed in Ukraine. The trio also discuss: How Mark Carney is using Trump as the key campaign target for his bid to remain prime minister of Canada versus Pierre Poilievre. Why Donald Trump’s tariff wars runs a major risk of alienating one section of core supporters. How Vice President JD Vance and Trump envoy Steve Witkoff have deepened rifts with US allies while delighting the Kremlin. Why Witcoff's warm words about Vladimir Putin have caused such offence amid peace negotiations over Ukraine. The treasures in Greenland which have seen it become a territory of major interest to the Trump administration. And why a painting hanging on the wall of the Colorado State Capitol building in 2019 has suddenly enraged Donald Trump. Do you have a question for the Talking Politics USA team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com You can WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on YouTube here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vLyvOf-qZsM list=PLFXSE3NhAYiZ8ymySHRegjBOZL5pBv1bq index=1 pp=iAQB
24 Mar 2025 - 33 min 39 sec
Q : Could Trump call off elections? Could Badenoch EVER be PM? Which leader was a nightmare to interview?
"I hope I never have to go through something like that again!" Robert Peston opens up on his nightmare interview with a previous prime minister in the latest episode of Talking Politics Q A special. He,Tom Bradby and Anushka Asthana give their answers to a wide range of audience queries, namely: Why do people think the Trump ‘problem’ will fade after four years? Will this war be settled between Trump and Putin with Zelenskyy just a side show? What will it take for Labour to abandon the Chancellor’s fiscal rules and raise taxes? Kemi Badenoch will never win the Tories an election. Agree or disagree? Who is the most powerful person in government we don’t know? Who is the hardest person you’ve ever had to interview? Do you have a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com and get us talking about what matters most to you...
21 Mar 2025 - 18 min 06 sec