Talking Politics

A new tranche of files have been released today relating to the appointment of disgraced peer Lord Mandelson as US ambassador. But what do they include, and how embarrassing are they for Keir Starmer and his government?
Tom Bradby and Robert Peston discuss what’s included in the documents - from private messages between senior Labour figures, to Mandelson telling David Lammy that the government would "never regret" his appointment as ambassador, and Pat McFadden’s criticism of the PM.
Mandelson has said he regrets his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, denies criminality, and says his priority is to cooperate with the police and clear his name.

Tom and Robert are joined by ITV News Investigations Editor Daniel Hewitt following his exclusive interview with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.
Burnham is hoping to return to Westminster by winning the Makerfield by-election - a move already fuelling excitement among his supporters that he could become Labour leader, and even Prime Minister, by the summer.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s other main challenger, former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, has confirmed he would stand in any future leadership contest. He’s also thrown his weight behind rejoining the EU, putting Brexit firmly back on the political agenda.
With Nigel Farage’s Reform UK surging in the local elections, would changing leader prove Labour has completely "lost its mind", or could this finally be Burnham’s moment?

Keir Starmer is battling to stay in post and after a pivotal cabinet meeting, Tom and Robert are in Downing Street to gauge the mood of ministers.
All eyes are now on his main challenger threat, Wes Streeting. With his backers already making moves to oust the PM - will the Health Secretary act?
Meanwhile, with Andy Burnham seen on a train to London, will he take the risk of mounting a leaderhip challenge, despite the Mayor of Greater Manchester not having a seat in Parliament?

Is it too little, too late for the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer?
That's the opinion of Labour MP Catherine West when describing Starmer's speech on Monday, as he fought to save his job following a bruising set of local election results and subsequent calls for his resignation.
On this week's Talking Politics, Tom Bradby and Robert Peston look at whether there is a future for Starmer as PM.
Describing Friday's local election results as tough, Starmer claimed the country was facing both "dangerous times" and "dangerous opponents".
"If we don't get this right, our country will go down a very dark path," claimed the PM.
"I know people are frustrated by the state of Britain, frustrated by politics, and some people, frustrated with me," said Starmer.
"I know I have my doubters, I know I need to prove them wrong, and I will."
Over the weekend, Labour MP Catherine West spoke out, issuing an ultimatum that if a member of the cabinet had not challenged Starmer over the leadership by Monday, she would gather the 81 signatures to launch one herself.
Her most recent words appear to back down on this, but still build momentum on pressuring the PM to depart.
Ms West said she is gathering the names of Labour MPs to call on Sir Keir Starmer to set a timetable for the election of a new leader in September.

With huge gains across England's council elections, has Nigel Farage's Reform UK become the main party of the right - or is it too soon to right the Conservatives off?
On Talking Politics Tom Bradby and Robert Peston break down the results with ITV News Elections Analyst Professor Colin Rallings and Professor Jane Green from Nuffield College, University of Oxford.
How much further can Reform go and on a massive day for Plaid Cymru and the SNP - what do results across England, Wales and Scotland mean for Labour and the future of the UK?