Talking Politics

Pressure is mounting on US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, after the Repbulican’s disastrous midterms results.

Vice President JD Vance has blamed the losses of both houses of Congress on the Iran War, which has drastically driven up the cost of living in the US.

President Trump is so far sticking by Hegseth but Tom Bradby and Jessica Taylor from The Cook Political Report discuss how long that will last.

Could a change in Defense Secretary alter the trajectory of the war?

Tom and Jessica also discuss whether impeaching Trump for a third time would backfire on the Democrats and whether it is Hegseth instead who could face impeachment.

With big wins for Democrats in traditionally Republican states, Tom and Jessica also discuss how tribal America still is.

Donald Trump's Republican Party has suffered a crushing defeat in the midterms - losing power of both houses of Congress.

Previously die-hard Trump states like Texas, South Carolina and Kansas have turned against his party.

Tom Bradby, Correspondent Robert Moore and Jessica Taylor from The Cook Political Report discuss the President's next move.

Trump has admitted that the Iran war and its impact on the cost of living has turned voters away. So is he ready to change tack?

The Democrats are set to control both houses of Congress but with the President ready to wield his veto on any bills they pass, the team discuss what will actually change.

And with the race now on for the next Presidential election, they assess the frontrunners for both parties.

Investigations Editor Daniel Hewitt was given exclusive access to Andy Burnham during his first 100 days as Prime Minister.

Having interviewed him many times over the years, Daniel joins Julie Etchingham and Robert Peston to reveal what he's learned about the man behind the office - including some surprising similarities to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and former Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The team examine Burnham's first actions as Prime Minister, how his ambitions have evolved and how radical his first few months have really been. They also explore his very different approach to political communication, from near-constant TikToks appearances, and ask whether his social media strategy is helping him connect with voters or risks alienating some of them.

Watch Burnham: Inside The First 100 Days, a Tonight Special, on YouTube or ITVX.

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.

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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.