Edinburgh Festival Fringe: Which politicians are appearing at the 2023 Edinburgh festivals? What political talk shows should I go to in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh is once again getting ready for millions to descend on the capital for the annual festivals.
And like many years, a number of Scottish and UK politicians are expected to make an appearance to discuss their political lives.
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Hide AdThis includes First Minister Humza Yousaf, former SNP leadership contender Kate Forbes and Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner, who will join Matt Forde for live recordings of his podcast The Political Party.
Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon will be speaking to LBC’s Iain Dale at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC). And former first minister Alex Salmond will be joining former Brexit secretary David Davis for a nightly show in George Square.
We take a look at some of the political highlights you can expect at this year’s Edinburgh festivals.
First Minister Humza Yousaf
The First Minister of Scotland will be appearing on a live broadcast of Matt Forde’s The Political Party podcast.
When: 2.30pm, Tuesday 8 August
Where: Debating Hall, Gilded Balloon Teviot
Price: £14
He will also be talking to LBC’s Iain Dale on his All Talk show.
When: 1pm, Friday 11 August
Where: EICC
Price: £17
Nicola Sturgeon MSP
The former first minister will be talking to LBC’s Iain Dale on his All Talk show.
When: 1pm, Thursday 10 August
Where: EICC
Price: £17
Mhairi Black MP
The SNP’s deputy Westminster leader, who has recently announced she will be stepping down at the next general election, will be appearing at In Conversation With … to talk about her life in politics.
When: 12pm, Tuesday 8 August
Where: Grand Hall, The Stand’s New Town Theatre
Price: £12.50
Joanna Cherry KC MP
The Edinburgh South West SNP MP will be at In Conversation With … This comes after her event was initially cancelled as staff members refused to work her show. She claimed this was discriminatory and The Stand was forced to apologise to her and reinstate her show, which is now completely sold out.
When: 12pm, Thursday 10 August
Where: Grand Hall, The Stand’s New Town Theatre
Price: £12.50
Kate Forbes MSP
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Hide AdThe MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, who ran against Humza Yousaf to become First Minister, will be appearing twice at the festivals. Her first appearing will be at For the Many Live with LBC’s Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith.
When: 4pm, Friday 11 August
Where: EICC
Price: £17
She will also be joining Matt Forde for a live recording of his podcast, The Political Party.
When: 1pm, Monday 21 August
Where: Debating Hall, Gilded Balloon Teviot
Price: £14
Anas Sarwar MSP
The leader of Scottish Labour will be speaking about his political life at In Conversation With …
When: 12pm, Friday 25 August
Where: Grand Hall, The Stand’s New Town Theatre
Price: £12.50
Alex Salmond and David Davis
The former first minister turned leader of the Alba Party, Alex Salmond, will have a nightly show with former Brexit secretary David Davis called The Ayes Have It! The Ayes Have It!
When: 7.50pm, Friday 4 August until Sunday 13 August
Where: Spiegeltent Palais du Variete, Assembly George Square Gardens
Price: £25
The pair will also be talking to LBC’s Iain Dale on his All Talk show.
When: 1pm, Tuesday 8 August
Where: EICC
Price: £17
Angela Rayner MP
The deputy leader of UK Labour will join Matt Forde for a live recording of his podcast The Political Party.
When: 1.30pm, Friday 18 August
Where: McEwan Hall
Price: £13.50
Jeremy Corbyn
The former UK Labour leader will be appearing twice at the Edinburgh festivals. The first will be with Len McCluskey on LBC’s Iain Dale’s All Talk Show.
When: 1pm, Saturday 5 August
Where: EICC
Price: £17
And his second appearance will be at In Conversation With …
When: 12pm, Thursday 24 August
Where: Grand Hall, The Stand’s New Town Theatre
Price: £12.50
Kezia Dugdale
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Hide AdThe former Scottish Labour leader will be with Lesley Riddoch for Once Upon a Time in Holyrood at the Edinburgh International Book Festival.
When: 1.30pm, Thursday 17 August
Where: Baillie Gifford Sculpture Court
Price: £15.50
Gordon Brown
Former prime minister Gordon Brown will be appearing at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. His appearance is already sold out.
When: 5pm, Wednesday 23 August
Where: Baillie Gifford Sculpture Court
Price: £15.50
Penny Mordaunt MP
Penny Mordaunt, who ran against Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak in the race to be prime minister, is now leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council. She will be speaking to LBC’s Iain Dale on his All Talk show.
When: 1pm, Sunday 6 August
Where: EICC
Price: £17
Ian Blackford MP
The SNP’s former Westminster leader and the MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber will be appearing at For The Many Live with LBC’s Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith.
When: 4pm, Sunday 13 August
Where: EICC
Price: £17
Sir Ed Davey MP
The leader of the UK Liberal Democrats will be appearing at For The Many Live with LBC’s Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith.
When: 4pm, Saturday 12 August
Where: EICC
Price: £17
John Nicolson MP
The SNP MP for Ochil and South Perthshire will be appearing at In Conversation With …
When: 12pm, Saturday 12 August
Where: Grand Hall, The Stand’s New Town Theatre
Price: £12.50
Jess Phillips MP
The Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley will be appearing on LBC’s Iain Dale’s All Talk show.
When: 1pm, Saturday 12 August
Where: EICC
Price: £17
Andy Burnham
The mayor of Greater Manchester will be speaking at In Conversation With …
When: 12pm, Tuesday 22 August
Where: Grand Hall, The Stand’s New Town Theatre
Price: £12.50
Sir Vince Cable
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Hide AdThe former leader of the UK Liberal Democrats will be speaking to LBC’s Iain Dale at his All Talk show.
When: 1pm, Wednesday 9 August
Where: EICC
Price: £17
Wes Streeting MP
Shadow health secretary West Streeting will be speaking to LBC’s Iain Dale at his All Talk show.
When: 1pm, Monday 7 August
Where: EICC
Price: £17
Harriet Harman MP
Mother of the House of Commons Harriet Harman will be speaking to LBC’s Iain Dale at his All Talk show.
When: 4pm, Monday 7 August
Where: EICC
Price: £17
First Minister Mark Drakeford MS
First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford will be appearing on LBC’s Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith’s For The Many Live.
When: 4pm, Thursday 10 August
Where: EICC
Price: £17
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