Calling Peston: The ITV News Politics Podcast - podcast cover

Calling Peston: The ITV News Politics Podcast

ITV Newswww.itv.com
Daniel Hewitt and Shehab Khan from the ITV News politics team chew through the week's big UK political stories and give Political Editor Robert Peston a call from wherever he is to get his take on it all. We'll also be talking to special guests from the world of politics and beyond - and hear from ITV's political correspondents based around the country to find out what's happening beyond the Westminster bubble.
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Episodes

Keir Starmer: 'Johnson is lucky...the road will run out' - 100TH EPISODE SPECIAL

The 100th episode of Calling Peston features a special interview with Labour leader Keir Starmer, who discusses his recurring COVID-19 isolation, criticizes the government's pandemic response, and outlines Labour's strategy against Boris Johnson. The hosts also celebrate the podcast's milestone, revisit an infamous Edwina Curry tweet, and share amusing anecdotes before receiving congratulatory messages from various public figures. Starmer further elaborates on his vision for Britain and his views on leadership lessons from football.

Jul 22, 202144 min

'Pingdemic' pandemonium - plus Prue Leith on tackling obesity

Daniel and Robert discuss how the 'pingdemic' and rising COVID cases are impacting businesses and public confidence, despite the lifting of restrictions, and the challenges of mask enforcement. Prue Leith joins to advocate for England's National Food Strategy, defending the proposed sugar and salt tax as crucial for public health and emphasizing the need for food education. The episode also critiques the government's 'levelling up' speech and its broader approach to difficult policy decisions.

Jul 16, 202138 min

Lockdown easing unmasked - plus cricket legend Michael Holding

The government has revealed its plan for the final step of the Covid roadmap - but for some 'freedom day' is inspiring fear. Robert Peston analyses the decision and tells the story of those who are worried about its implications. Then Dan Hewitt talks to ITV News Health Producer Alex Cherrie about the reaction from front-line medics. Plus Shehab Khan interviews cricket legend Michael Holding about his new book. Remember to like, share and rate us five stars!...

Jul 07, 202136 min

Labour wins in Batley and Spen - plus Hancock resigns and Javid’s back again

Kim Leadbeater beat expectations to win the Batley and Spen by-election - Shehab talks to ITV News Political Correspondent Libby Wiener from the constituency. Plus Robert gets into the detail of Matt Hancock's resignation and Dan talks to Sajid Javid's former advisor Salma Shah about the newly appointed Health Secretary. Remember to subscribe, like and rate us five stars!

Jul 02, 202132 min

Holiday firm's travel list criticism - plus lockdown lessons from Israel

Can the travel industry handle more uncertainty? The boss of TUI talks to Daniel Hewitt about the impact the UK's "cynical" travel rules are having on the sector. Plus, Robert calls from Israel to give a Calling Peston special report about their new government, the success of the vaccine rollout and shaking hands again. Remember to subscribe, like and rate us five stars!

Jun 24, 202128 min

'Hopeless' Hancock, hopeful Miliband, and hopes of lockdown easing dashed

Robert has been saying it for weeks, but now the government have finally confirmed that the lockdown easing will be postponed from June 21 to July 19. He talks to Dan Hewitt about the reasons for the decision and whether this will be the last delay to the roadmap. Plus Shehab Khan interviews Ed Miliband about losing the election in 2015 and his ideas for fixing the world. Remember to subscribe, like and rate us five stars!

Jun 17, 202132 min

Vaccines, climate change and sausages - the agenda for the G7

The G7 summit has started with Boris Johnson playing host - but could a ‘sausage war’ disrupt the agenda? Dan Hewitt talks to Robert Peston who is enjoying the best Cornwall has to offer. Plus Shehab Khan talks to restaurateur Asma Khan about the need for clarity on the June 21 easing. Remember to subscribe, like and rate us five stars!

Jun 11, 202134 min

Michael Rosen on his Covid recovery - plus will June 21 be postponed?

Michael Rosen talks to Shehab about the three months he spent in hospital with Covid and his gratitude to the NHS workers who cared for him. Plus, will the June 21 unlocking go ahead? Robert answers the question on everyone's mind. And the podcast has finally made it into the big leagues by appearing on ITV's The Chase - but where else have the team popped up on TV? Remember to subscribe, like and rate us five stars!

Jun 03, 202130 min

Cummings attacked the government for seven hours - but will it stick?

Personal attacks, swine flu, pox parties, and Jeff Goldblum - it was the committee session that had it all. But will any of Dominic Cummings’ evidence matter? Robert Peston, Daniel Hewitt and Shehab Khan answer the question of the hour and break down all the major points from the seven hour session in just 25 minutes. Remember to subscribe, like and rate us five stars!

May 27, 202128 min

Traffic lights, travel and variants - will the roadmap be delayed?

Traffic lights, travel and variants - will the roadmap be delayed? Robert Peston, Shehab Khan and Daniel Hewitt discuss a week of mixed messaging on international travel that has left the public wondering whether amber means green or red. Plus, cases of the Indian variant continue to grow, leading to concerns about the final step of the roadmap. Shehab talks to Professor Linda Bauld about the variant and it’s potential impact on future easing. And the team lament the problems of technology for t...

May 20, 202134 min

Jeremy Corbyn on Labour's future - plus the Covid inquiry

Jeremy Corbyn on Labour's future - plus the Covid inquiry Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn pulls no punches in this exclusive interview with Daniel Hewitt and Shehab Khan. He comments on everything from Keir Starmer, the local elections loss, cabinett reshuffles and more - it really is a must listen. Plus, Robert examines a future inquiry into the coronavirus crisis. Remember to like, subscribe and rate us five stars!

May 12, 202147 min

What's next for Labour and is IndyRef2 still on the cards?

Robert and Shehab breakdown the election results, from Labour's defeat in England to the SNP's historic win. ITV News Scotland correspondent Peter Smith also joins to discuss if IndyRef2 is still on the cards. Remember to like, subscribe, and rate us five stars!

May 08, 202132 min

Is a 'full scale crisis' around the corner for Boris Johnson?

Is a 'full scale crisis' around the corner for Boris Johnson? Robert Peston says he could soon face 'an incredible humiliation' and 'calls for him to resign', depending on the outcome of investigations into the refurb of his Downing Street flat. Plus Shehab Khan chats to award winning political cartoonist Graeme Bandeira about lampooning the government. Remember to like, subscribe, and rate us five stars!

Apr 29, 202127 min

Will claims of Tory sleaze stick? Plus John Barnes on how to fix football

Will claims of Tory sleaze stick? Plus John Barnes on how to fix football Robert, Shehab and Dan look at accusations of sleaze against the government and assess whether Labour attacks are causing any damage. Plus, special guest, Liverpool FC legend John Barnes shares his plan for fixing football after the collapse of the European Super League. Remember to like, subscribe and rate us five stars!

Apr 22, 202143 min

Cameron, Johnson, and the murky world of lobbying

Cameron, Johnson, and the murky world of lobbying - plus, what's it like to grow up mixed race? The Calling Peston team is back to examine the lobbying scandal which is engulfing the Tory Party. Shehab and Dan tell you everything you need to know, while Robert gives insight and analysis. Our special guest is author Natalie Morris talks to us about her new book, 'Mixed/Other', which explores what life is like growing up mixed race in the UK. Remember to like, subscribe, and rate us five stars!...

Apr 15, 202145 min

Passport to the pub? And why's the UK compromising in EU vaccine dispute?

Will you really need a passport to go to the pub? And why is the UK compromising in the EU vaccine dispute? The ITV News Politics Podcast discuss all the key vaccine developments and call Robert to get his take on Boris Johnson's latest strategy, plus - away from the pandemic - why Home Secretary Priti Patel's plans to deal with migrants appear to raise more questions than they answer. Meanwhile, Shehab is humbled by Daniel's jaw-dropping reporting on atrocious housing, the team react to Robert'...

Mar 26, 202125 min

Is vaccine rollout still on track? Plus Alan Johnson special guest

Former home secretary Alan Johnson is our special guest this week. We also discuss vaccine nationalism and whether other countries can impact the UK's jab rollout. In a deep dive interview, former Labour minister Alan Johnson talks about everything from switching politics for writing, his sympathy for ministers during the pandemic and thoughts on whether Labour can win the next election. Remember to like, subscribe, and rate us five stars.

Mar 18, 202150 min

Jess Phillips on reading the killed women list - plus, how Meghan interview impacts No10

Jess Phillips on violence against women - plus, how Meghan interview impacts No10 Special guest Labour's Jess Phillips, takes us through how we can tackle violence against women, following the killing of Sarah Everard. Plus, Robert Peston explains what impact the bombshell Harry and Meghan interview has had on Downing Street. Remember to like, subscribe and rate us five stars!

Mar 12, 202132 min

Budget special: How Sunak plans to spend now and take later

Listen to our Budget special for all you need to know about Chancellor Rishi Sunak's plan for the economy in 2021 and beyond. Expert insight from Politics Editor Robert Peston, plus correspondents Shehab Khan and Daniel Hewitt. Remember to like, subscribe and rate us five stars!

Mar 04, 202132 min

Salmond, Sturgeon and the fight for Scottish independence

Salmond, Sturgeon and the fight for Scottish independence We explore the fascinating row between Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and her predecessor Alex Salmond - and whether it will impact their fight for independence from the UK. ITV News Presenter Julie Etchingham is our special guest this week. She's filmed a documentary on the issue of Scottish independence and tells us all about it. We also have Robert Peston looking ahead to next week's Budget. Remember to like, subscribe and r...

Feb 25, 202150 min

Roadmap special: Are the dates realistic and will we need a jab to go to the pub?

Everything you need to know about the roadmap out of lockdown is in this special episode of Calling Peston. How realistic is it that nightclubs could open in June? Will we need to prove we've had a Covid-19 vaccine to get inside? Plus, how much financial support will Rishi Sunak provide in his Budget next week? There'll be another episode of the podcast released later this week. Remember to like, subscribe, and rate us five stars!

Feb 23, 202129 min

Holidays and pubs - what are the chances for 2021? Plus vaccines and variants

Everyone is well overdue a holiday, but will we be able to have one this year? Robert and Shehab discuss whether people will be able to go abroad in summer, amid the ever-present threat of new coronavirus variants. They also discuss Boris Johnson's roadmap out of lockdown, whether it will include the reopening of pubs, and when we'll get more of our freedom back. Special guest this week is Professor Linda Bauld, a public health expert at University of Edinburgh, who talks to us about vaccines an...

Feb 11, 202124 min

David Baddiel special guest - plus high hopes for the economy?

Comedian and writer David Baddiel is our special guest this week; he gives an eye-opening account of anti-Semitism and the unusual way it is not taken seriously by anti-racists. It really is a must-listen. In the first half of the podcast we discuss the economy and the Bank of England's optimistic assessment of the future. Of course, we also talk about the fascinatingly hilarious insight into local politics, provided to us by the members of Handforth Parish Council. Remember to like, subscribe a...

Feb 05, 202150 min

Who will get the vaccine next? Plus Get Buzzin' with Bez

This week's special guest is Bez from the Happy Mondays - it's a must listen. In the rest of the episode we look at Covid vaccine priorities - who will be next in line after the UK's most vulnerable? We also discuss how much longer lockdown will go on, and what Joe Biden's presidency means for the UK.

Jan 21, 202139 min

James Comey on Trump impeachment - plus, what next for Covid lockdown?

James Comey on Trump impeachment - plus, what next for Covid lockdown? Special guest on the podcast this week is former FBI director James Comey, who talks to us about the impeachment of President Donald Trump, the riots at the US Capitol, and much more. We also get the latest from Downing Street with Robert Peston, who gives insight on whether England's lockdown is about to get tighter, or whether restrictions will soon be lifted. Be sure to like, subscribe, and rate us five stars!...

Jan 14, 202140 min

Will vaccines end lockdown by mid-Feb? Plus top photographer on capturing history

Will vaccines end lockdown by mid-February? Plus top photographer on capturing history In this week's episode we look at whether coronavirus vaccines can help England out of lockdown by mid-February, as Boris Johnson hopes will be the case. Our special guest is award winning PA photographer Stefan Rousseau, who talks us through what it's been like capturing some recent histories most remarkable moments. In one anecdote he reveals his experience of photographing the Westminster terror attack, whi...

Jan 07, 202141 min

Is another lockdown inevitable? Plus Brexit and a Christmas Quiz!

Is another lockdown inevitable? Plus Brexit and a Christmas Quiz! In what could be the final episode of the year (unless we do an emergency Brexit episode) Dan and Robert discuss whether another lockdown is inevitable after Christmas. They also look at the chances of a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU. And stick around til the end to see if you can beat Dan in the Christmas quiz! Remember to like, subscribe and rate us five stars! Merry Christmas!...

Dec 18, 202022 min

Brexit: Deal or no deal by Sunday?

Boris Johnson has set Sunday as his latest deadline for a free trade deal with the EU - but is there any chance of success? We speak to Europe Editor James Mates who was in Brussels during the prime minister's last-ditch talks with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen. Robert Peston gives us his take on the state of negotiations and whether he thinks there's scope for a deal. Remember to like, subscribe and rate us five stars!

Dec 10, 202038 min

English tiers, the chances of a New Year lockdown - plus the consequences of Britain's soaring debt

As England is reduced to tiers, Robert and Shehab chat through the week's coronavirus developments: Rishi Sunak's Spending Review, the prospect of a new national lockdown and the new face in Number 10. We also have special guest Konnie Huq, who tells us about her new set of political fairy tales and working on Black Mirror episodes with her husband Charlie Brooker. Remember to like, subscribe, and rate us five stars!

Nov 26, 202030 min
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