Talking Politics

What does US-Israel war with Iran mean for Starmer?

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced he will allow the US to use British bases for 'defensive' strikes on Iranian missile sites, but says the UK government 'will not join offensive action now'.Donald Trump says he’s ’very disappointed’ in Starmer and condemned the delay in making that decision.So is the UK at war with Iran and what does it mean for the UK-US special relationship?On this episode of Talking Politics Robert speaks to Julie Etchingham who is in Erbil, northern Iraq, about the escalating war in the Middle East and what it means for Starmer.

Green Party wins in Gorton and Denton | What it really means for British politics

Shockwaves are surging through British politics after a dramatic by-election in Gorton and Denton. In this episode of Talking Politics, Robert and Tom unpack what the Greens’ victory means for Labour - was Starmer “nuts” for not taking the left-wing party more seriously? And will he have to step down? With cries of dodgy practices and unfair treatment, they also discuss ‘family voting’ and whether it was an issue in the contest.

How Commons Speaker Hoyle tipped off police about Mandelson 'flight risk'

In a week that started with Peter Mandelson's arrest, and will end with a crucial by-election for the PM, Tom and Robert discuss whether Mandelson's arrest will prove terminal for Starmer.They unpack why Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle warned the Met that Mandelson was a flight risk - triggering his arrest.The former Business Secretary denies any wrongdoing, and says his overriding priority is to cooperate with the police investigation and clear his name.But will Mandelson's arrest define the PM's premiership?Tom and Robert discuss what could happen in this week's by-election in Gorton and Denton and how it could be the most important result of the PM's career.--Full list of candidates in the Gorton and Denton by-electionNick Buckley – Advance UKCharlotte Cadden – ConservativesDan Clarke – Libertarian PartyMatt Goodwin – Reform UKSir Oink A Lot – The Official Monster Raving Looney PartyJoseph O’Meachair – Rejoin EUSebastian Moore – Social Democratic PartyJacqueline Pearcey – Liberal DemocratsHannah Spencer – Green PartyAngeliki Stogia – Labour PartyHugo Wils – Communist League

The astronaut-turned-politician Trump wanted punished 'by death'

Meet Senator Mark Kelly: distinguished Navy Pilot, NASA astronaut and Democratic Senator for Arizona, but when Kelly urged service members to refuse illegal orders, Donald Trump said he should be punished “by death”.Trump later clarified, "I'm not threatening death, but I think they're in serious trouble."Now Kelly's contemplating a run for the Presidency himself.Tom sits down with the Senator to discuss the death threats and lawsuits that have followed, why he believes you need to "stand up to bullies" and his advice to the UK: "You don't want somebody like him in charge of the UK."Is the US a reliable ally? If he was still serving, would he obey orders to invade Greenland? And what lessons can the UK learn from the MAGA movement?

Who could replace Starmer and how could they do it?

Tom and Robert discuss how much trouble how much trouble Sir Keir Starmer is in, who could replace him as PM and how Labour chooses a new leader.It follows the latest relation that Downing Street's former Director of Communications Matthew Doyle was given a peerage, despite him campaining in 2017 for a councillor who had been charged with child sex offences.At Prime Minister's Questions, Starmer said Doyle "did not give a full account of his actions" before he was made a Lord in January.Doyle has had the whip removed and apologised. In a statement he said: “I want to apologise for my past association with Sean Morton. His offences were vile and I completely condemn the actions for which he was rightly convicted. My thoughts are with the victims and all those impacted by these crimes.”