Edinburgh will once again become an unofficial centre of political debate during August, as current and former politicians join journalists, campaigners and commentators across the city’s major festivals.
While the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is best known for comedy, theatre and experimental performance, it has also become an important platform for political interviews and public discussion. Politicians often use the relatively informal setting to discuss their careers, defend their records and answer questions directly from audiences.
One of the most politically focused programmes will be broadcaster Iain Dale’s All Talk, which returns to the Fringe for a sixth season. Its scheduled guests include former Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, Green Party leader Zack Polanski, SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, Wes Streeting, Jess Phillips and former SNP MP Joanna Cherry.
Dale said that informed and entertaining political conversation had become “a key part of the Fringe”, describing the 2026 collection of guests as his strongest and most varied line-up to date.
Political comedian Matt Forde will also return with a live edition of The Political Party, featuring Rachel Reeves. The long-running interview show has previously welcomed figures including Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, Nicola Sturgeon, Keir Starmer and Jeremy Hunt.
Scotland’s constitutional future will remain a prominent subject. Former first minister Henry McLeish will appear in Unfinished Business – Scotland’s Political Crossroads, examining the record of devolution and asking how Scotland’s political institutions can respond to future social and economic challenges.
Political journalist Steve Richards will meanwhile bring back Rock and Roll Politics, promising a regularly updated examination of the personalities and events shaping an unusually turbulent period in British government.
The Edinburgh International Book Festival will provide another major political forum. Its 2026 programme includes former UK prime minister Gordon Brown and former Finnish prime minister Sanna Marin among almost 600 writers and speakers appearing between 15 and 30 August.
This year’s Book Festival theme, Changing Your Mind, will explore political polarisation, misinformation and the difficulty of conducting constructive public debate. Festival director Jenny Niven said the programme aimed to create space for thoughtful conversations in which people could challenge their assumptions or “at least agree to disagree, more agreeably”.
Holyrood will also host the Festival of Politics, with discussions examining subjects including artificial intelligence, climate change, poverty, housing, free speech and the influence of the online “manosphere”.
Together, these events ensure that politics will be woven throughout Edinburgh’s festival season. Away from the controlled environment of Parliament and party conferences, political figures face longer interviews, live audiences and questions that can reveal considerably more than a carefully prepared speech.
For politicians seeking to explain themselves, promote a book or influence the national conversation, Edinburgh remains one of the most valuable stages in British public life.