“Streeting may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but this tightly controlled interview allows for empathetic answers whilst giving us an insight into the man behind the political scandal.”
Iain Dale returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with his much-adored political interview series All Talk this Edinburgh Festival Fringe. With the line-up booked well in advance and the rapidly changing nature of politics taken into account, the show always provides timely and current political discussions, delving into key moments in the careers of its subjects. This session, Iain is joined by freshly appointed Defence Secretary Wes Streeting.
Streeting is, of course, known for his tenure as Health Secretary under Sir Keir Starmer’s Government, something which makes up much of the discussion in this session. Three weeks into his role as Defence Secretary, the politician is subjected to Dale’s broadcaster’s no-holds-barred interview style, opening with the question, “What do you know about defence?” Partly a joke, Streeting launches into a conversation about being present at Cabinet tables where issues of defence were discussed consistently.
Much of the current intrigue regarding Streeting surrounds his appointment to Andy Burnham’s cabinet, following his dramatic domino-toppling resignation from Starmer’s cabinet. Dale asks the questions the audience want to know: were deals struck? What job did Streeting insist on in order to withdraw his own prospective leadership bid? Streeting remains one of the Labour Government’s most colourful personalities, frank and open, with a hint of waffle thrown in. Thankfully, the astute Dale is happy to repeat questions which he doesn’t feel are answered.
Interesting observations emerge from the session, with Streeting feeling politically aligned to Burnham’s style of politics. Revelations from the doorstep whilst canvassing for Burnham in Mayfield showcased the need not to slow political momentum down. Whilst the former Health Secretary stops short of detailing the conversations which led to his resignation from Starmer’s cabinet, there are interesting musings about his time in Starmer’s cabinet and the frustrations he felt.
Dale’s open and welcoming interview style facilitates interesting discussions about the current state of defence and realistic ways that significant improvements in defence spending can be achieved. Streeting refers to his progress as Health Secretary, which hopefully points to his efficient style of working. The politician’s experiences of meeting Zelensky and his Ukrainian counterpart make for interesting musings, once again showcasing Britain’s commitment to Ukraine.
One of the most interesting revelations is Streeting’s pride at being the first openly gay Health Secretary, despite the politician revealing that this is the most online homophobia he has received. Streeting may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but this tightly controlled interview allows for empathetic answers whilst giving us an insight into the man behind the political scandal.
Continuing to assert itself as the number one destination for political enthusiasts at the Fringe, All Talk combines Dale’s interviews with pre-written audience questions to deliver a lively and well-paced seventy minutes. The use of pre-submitted questions ensures a seamless transition from structured interview to audience engagement, avoiding the usual pitfalls of long-winded or irrelevant personal anecdotes from the floor, a refreshing change for anyone familiar with traditional Q&A events. These audience questions remain a highlight, with the Edinburgh audience mirroring Dale’s no-holds-barred questioning approach. The highlight of these leads to an anecdote about Angela Rayner and her DIY cocktail, Venom, which is allegedly not for the faint of heart.
All Talk remains an engaging example of how political discussion can be both informative and entertaining without losing sight of the personalities at its centre. Dale’s ability to push his guests while maintaining an approachable atmosphere gives the series its appeal, and Streeting proves an especially compelling subject at a moment of significant political change. For anyone looking to keep up with the personalities and debates shaping Holyrood and Westminster, this remains an essential Fringe fixture.
You can get tickets for Iain Dale: All Talk here.
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These are always excellent shows. I have never been to a bad one yet and Iain is so generous with his time both before and after for those fans who fancy a chat and to say hello.