Show Notes
Andy Burnham is on track to become Britain’s next prime minister, but we don’t yet know who he’ll pick as chancellor. Could it be Ed Miliband, or would he spook the markets? Perhaps Yvette Cooper is a safe pair of hands, or could Wes Streeting get the keys to Number 11 despite his “brazen disloyalty” to his last boss? On this week’s Talking Politics, Tom and Robert ask what a Burnham government could look like, and break down what his major policy changes could be. Plus, Peston gives his advice to the next PM on welfare, defence and the pension triple lock. Contains mild language.
More from Talking Politics
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.
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. – 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.