Talking Politics

Will Starmer survive the week?

Can Sir Keir Starmer survive the Peter Mandelson scandal? Tom Bradby and Robert Peston discuss his chances, after Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar becomes the most senior serving Labour figure to call for the PM to stand down.It comes after the resignation of Downing Street Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney, who had masterminded Starmer's path to power but accepted responsibility for advising the PM to appoint Peter Mandelson as US Ambassador.The latest release of files relating to the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein have revealed the extent of his friendship with Mandelson. Pressure is mounting on Starmer after he admitted Mandelson's links to Epstein, following his sex offence conviction, were mentioned in his vetting. Starmer told MPs Mandelson had 'repeatedly' lied during in the vetting process.ITV News has attempted to contact Mandelson multiple times in relation to the allegations against him but has not received a response. Being named in emails and documents released from the US Department of Justice is not evidence of wrongdoing.

Epstein-Mandelson what does it all mean for Starmer?

Tom and Robert discuss the Peter Mandelson fallout, after the former Business Secretary was forced to resign from the Labour Party and the House of Lords following the latest release of Epstein files.Amongst the 3m documents are emails appearing to show that at the height of the financial crisis, Mandelson was sharing highly sensitive government information with the sex-offender financier.So what exactly was that information and how could Epstein have used it?Meanwhile, where does all this leave Keir Starmer after he made Mandelson US Ambassador when his association with Epstein was public knowledge.Mandelson is yet to comment publicly on the allegations, but has said that he regrets his friendship with Epstein.Tom and Robert also discuss the Polish PM's claim that Epstein could have been a Russian spy, and the continued problems the Epstein files bring the royal family - with the files revealing more details of the contact Epstein had with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson after his conviction for child sex offences. The former prince has strenuously denied any wrongdoing and the former Duchess has previously expressed regret over her association with Epstein.

Behind the scenes of the Starmer vs Burnham by-election row

As Keir Starmer tries to shake off the backlash of Andy Burnham's failed bid to get on the ballot for the Gorton and Denton by-election...what really went on behind closed doors?Downing Street and the Greater Manchester Mayor have both denied reports he was told in advance that he would be blocked by Labour's ruling National Executive Committee. But Robert Peston has the inside story.And with Labour leadership candidates waiting in the wings... how should Starmer have handled it instead?Meanwhile, Robert exclusively reveals why events in Canada could put King Charles's trip to America in jeopardy.

Why the UK is in a TERRIBLE position after Trump's Greenland tariffs threat

Why has Keir Starmer ruled out economic retaliation against Donald Trump’s new tariff threat over the US purchase of Greenland?And what options does it leave him and other world leaders to persuade the US president not to bring in 10% tariffs on 1 February for Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland?Tom Bradby and Robert Peston discuss the fallout from Trump’s latest jaw-dropping power play in this special edition of Talking Politics.Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com

Has the government's latest U-turn on digital IDs ruined Rachel Reeves' big day?

Rachel Reeves today unveiled a huge rail infrastructure project, the long-awaited Northern Powerhouse Rail, which she insists "isn't just political, this is personal."But her big announcement comes on the day of yet another U-turn by the government, this time on digital IDs.So, has the latest volte-face overshadowed the Chancellor's big day?And with all these U-turns stacking up, we ask the seemingly eternal question: what does this government really stand for?Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com