Talking Politics

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has told ITV News his government has restored respect to politics since coming into power.When he came into Downing Street in July 2024, Starmer promised to "restore honesty and integrity to government”.However, since then, it's fair to say it's been a stormy ride for him and the Labour Party.Shortly after becoming prime minister, he attracted attention for the scale of the gifts he had been receiving, and more recently in September his deputy Angela Rayner resigned after breaking the ministerial code.When asked if he could "hand on heart" say that his government had restored respect to politics, Starmer answered, "yes".Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com

After months of furious speculation, briefing, leaking, and U-turning, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves is finalising her all-important second Budget.It now looks like the rates of income tax won't rise after all - but, as Robert explains, there is a more hidden 'tax' on income that will affect millions of British workers and raise billions of pounds.How will it all affect you, and how will it affect the Prime Minister's job security?And what was the thinking behind the unusually family-focused video he posted on social media on International Men's Day?Is it a sign that he's changing his style of leadership?Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com

It is about to get a lot harder to claim asylum in Britain.The Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced significant changes to the UK's immigration system - the biggest, the government claims, of the modern era. She insists they will 'unite a divided country', but denies playing a political game to gain support from Reform voters. Robert sat down with the Home Secretary to dig into the plans, how they will work in practice, and whether they risk another major rebellion within the Labour party.Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com

This week on Talking Politics, Tom Bradby and Robert Peston analyse the rumours of a coup to oust Sir Keir Starmer.In an extraordinary 24 hours, the Health Secretary Wes Streeting is forced to deny on the record that he wants the top job.And the Prime Minister has had to say he will fight any leadership challenge.Also, what next for the BBC after the Director General resigns and Donald Trump threatens to sue?Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com

Rachel Reeves has, once again, said it without really saying it: Brace yourselves for tax rises.In an unusual pre-budget speech today, the Chancellor said she would "make the choices necessary” as speculation mounts that she is preparing to raise income tax to help fill a gap in the public finances.In her first in-depth interview since becoming Labour's deputy leader, Tom and Robert are joined by Lucy Powell to discuss whether the Labour 'brand' could be fatally hurt by this decision - and what it does to public trust in politics. She says the government must 'tread carefully' when it comes to issues that threaten to undermine public trust.They also discuss how Labour can turn the tide on Nigel Farage - and why she believes Labour is 'ceding the agenda' to Reform UK.Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com

In this episode of Talking Politics, Tom Bradby and political editor Robert Peston analyse the Chancellor's dwindling options for her upcoming budget and predict the impact of the decisions she might make. They discuss how Rachel Reeves will fill that multi-billion-pound hole in the country's finances, whether she will increase income tax despite previous promises not to, and how she can hold onto the country's highest tax bracket.Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com

Robert is joined by the Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, who says he wants his children to feel "confident" in the UK and England flags. The Deputy PM - and Justice Secretary - claimed the flag was being appropriated by the far-right. He also spoke about a new AI tool being used in the justice system to help transcribe interviews. And he said it was "right" that MPs scrutinise Prince Andrew's living arrangements.Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com

Tom Bradby and Robert Peston chat with Lord Simon Case, who has served as right-hand man to both Prince William and four Prime Ministers, as Cabinet Secretary.They discuss the growing pressure on the government to officially strip Prince Andrew of all his titles, including his Dukedom.Lord Case also breaks down the threat China poses to the UK and explains why No.10 remains dysfunctional over a year since the general election.Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com

Dominic Cummings has disclosed in an exclusive interview with ITV News that government data has been stored on infrastructure owned and controlled by Chinese interests.He told the Talking Politics podcast that he had been warned about the Chinese ownership in “early 2020”, shortly after becoming chief aide to the then Prime Minister Boris Johnson.UK official sources have confirmed to Peston that Global Switch has provided data and communication services to the government.Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com

Donald Trump has hailed the Gaza ceasefire as a new dawn but what obstacles still stand in the way of lasting peace in the Middle East?A diplomatic solution has long been sort but the President has a different approach: money. Will he be able to successfully sell the commercial opportunities of peace in the long term? Robert and Tom also weigh up Tony Blair's potential part in the path to peace, given his history in both Northern Ireland and Iraq.And Robert explains exactly how the government has entered another crisis over the dropped China spy court case.Got a question for Tom or Robert? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com and we’ll look to answer it in our next Talking Politics Q&A episode.Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com