Edinburgh Festival Fringe: Which politicians are appearing at the 2023 Edinburgh festivals? What political talk shows should I go to in Edinburgh?

Take a look at our list of which politicians you can go and see at this year’s Edinburgh festivals

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.

This 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

The 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

The 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

The 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