Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 4hNEW: Kemi Badenoch has denied the Tories can't be trusted on policing but admitted 'difficult decisions' were taken during the coalition austerity years. Conservative say they'd boost Hampshire officer numbers by 324, despite them falling by 399 from 2010 to 2024. 331
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 25/09/2026EXC: Andy Burnham tells ITV News Meridian anti-immigration protests in Kent and Hampshire are "not the British way". The Prime Minister condemns those wearing black and covering their faces at demos against small boats - saying it is "designed to intimidate". 013
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 21/09/2026EXC: Sir Ed Davey condemns anti-migrant protests in Portsmouth and Dover, describing them as "thugs in black shirts and balaclavas". The Liberal Democrat leader tells ITV News Meridian the "intimidation" of RNLI volunteers in the South East is "disgraceful". 43812
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 09/07/2026What will Andy Burnham mean for the South East, how should he plug the defence spending shortfall and is Nigel Farage’s by-election already backfiring? The Last Word from @itvmeridian available to catch-up on ITVX & YouTube 👇 youtu.be/8YKpbQsiIcY?...youtu.beThe Last Word: A View from WestminsterYouTube video by ITV News In Full 020
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 08/07/2026NEW: Labour, Lib Dem and Conservative MPs from the South East accuse Nigel Farage of a by-election 'publicity stunt'. Reform UK's Adam Holloway denies that and says there's "emotion" in Mr Farage's decision. 📺 'The Last Word' is on ITV1 Meridian at 10.45pm 030
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 02/07/2026NEW: The Labour MP for Gillingham and Rainham advises Andy Burnham to take constituencies like hers "seriously" and not "fall into stereotypes" about North and South. Naushabah Khan was speaking to ITV News Meridian ahead of the second anniversary of Labour's 2024 election win. 020
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 25/06/2026BREAK: The Home Office is seeking planning permission to house asylum seekers on military land in Bicester, Oxfordshire. Local MP Calum Miller tells ITV News Meridian he is “shocked and worried” about whether the plan for MOD Bicester “is right for the community”. www.itv.com/news/meridia...itv.com 020
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 25/06/2026What would 'Manchesterism' mean for the South? Aylesbury's Labour MP Laura Kyrke-Smith tells ITV News Meridian she has questions for Andy Burnham about what his policy approach will mean for her constituency and is seeking 'reassurance' over the coming weeks. 010
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 24/06/2026NEW: Veteran Tory Sir Desmond Swayne has proposed a new law to guarantee support for babies in their first 1001 days. The New Forest West MP tells ITV News Meridian while some may consider his Babies Bill "a bit nanny state", he believes the facts warrant new legislation. 110
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 23/06/2026"Politics is a brutal game." One of Keir Starmer's closest political allies, Chris Ward, tells ITV News Meridian of his "personal disappointment" at the prime minister's departure. But the MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven insists Sir Keir has a "record to be proud of". 110
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 18/06/2026NEW: Jacob Rees-Mogg says Thames Valley Police "failed to maintain order" when Tommy Robinson appeared at the Oxford Union. The MP told ITV News officers allowed protesters to block the entrance. The force says the decision to suspend entry was taken by event organisers. 111
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 17/06/2026The body art that's got Westminster talking – MP Josh Babarinde shows me his tattoo of Eastbourne Pier. He offered Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy a look during #PMQs, as he urged the government to consider emergency measures to safeguard the landmark. 030
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 03/06/2026NEW: Labour's Darren Paffey says the "deeply disturbing" disorder in Southampton was "whipped up" by people who had come from outside the city. The Southampton Itchen MP tells ITV News Meridian many of his constituents were "really frightened" by what they saw last night. 020
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 03/06/2026NEW: Caroline Nokes says the scenes of violence last night were "horrific and wholly unacceptable". The Romsey & Southampton North MP tells ITV News Meridian she "sincerely hopes there won't be more disorder on the streets" of Hampshire. 010
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 02/06/2026MPs will have an opportunity to debate the dangers of silica dust in the workplace today. Sandra Elliott, who lost her husband George to silicosis, will be travelling to Westminster to watch the debate. Special silicosis report on ITV News YouTube 👇 youtu.be/j1c1lcf1CbA?...youtu.beThe industrial lung disease which could be putting tradespeople at riskYouTube video by ITV News 000
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 01/06/2026EXC: Stonemason's family fear silicosis could be the "next asbestos health crisis". Doctors blame an epidemic of the lung disease amongst tradespeople on engineered stone worktops – also known as quartz. George Elliott’s widow, Sandra, spoke to ITV News Meridian www.itv.com/news/meridia... 110
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 15/05/2026Perhaps unsurprisingly we had some very strong viewing figures for the ITV regional political programmes last night! If you missed ITV Meridian's The Last Word, you can catch up on ITVX and and YouTube 👇 youtu.be/KoEyy6GQy7k?...youtu.beThe Last Word: Labour losses in the South, and turmoil at No 10YouTube video by ITV News In Full 100
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 14/05/2026NEW: The Labour Party must allow Andy Burnham to stand if a Commons seat becomes available, Folkestone & Hythe MP Tony Vaughan argues. The Labour backbencher tells ITV Meridian's The Last Word it is "really important that there is a contest involving all of the talents". 122
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 14/05/2026NEW: I understand Labour MP Tom Rutland would back Wes Streeting, if there's a Labour leadership contest. A source close to the Sussex MP – who quit as ministerial aide – tells me Mr Streeting has "made a principled decision" and can win the "battle of ideas". 000
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 12/05/2026NEW: David Burton-Sampson MP tells me the "last thing the country needs" is to leave the "controls of government vacant". Labour MP for Southend West & Leigh was made a ministerial aide (PPS), after six colleagues quit and called for Keir Starmer to go. 010
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 08/05/2026These #LocalElections saw the Conservatives lose their county council crown in the South. For decades, they've run Hampshire, East Sussex and West Sussex. No longer. The new *five* party system punished Labour too, with the party losing Southampton and Worthing. www.itv.com/news/meridia...itv.com 010
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 08/05/2026🗳️ HANTS 🔵➡️⚪️ Conservatives lose majority on Hampshire County Council for first time since 1997. 🔴➡️⚪️ Labour lose control of Southampton City Council. They've had a majority for 13 of last 14 years. ⚪️➡️🟠 Lib Dems gain control of Portsmouth City Council. 120
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 07/05/2026❌ Polls have closed across the South. By sunrise we should know whether the Conservatives have kept control of Hampshire County Council, where they’ve had a majority since 1997. Friday evening we’ll find out if the Tories will still run East and West Sussex. 140
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 06/05/2026Polling stations open tomorrow for historic local elections in the South of England 🗳️ The final full county council poll in Hampshire and Sussex, after more than 130 years. I've been in a green box pointing at an imaginary screen trying to make sense of it all 👇 www.itv.com/news/meridia...itv.com 020
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 23/04/2026I spent the day in #Worthing asking locals about the issues on their minds ahead of elections in two weeks. The Tories currently run the county council and Labour run the borough but Lib Dems, Greens and Reform all fancy their chances. Full ITV News Meridian report👇 www.itv.com/news/meridia...itv.com 030
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 16/04/2026The Last Word is back tonight. On my panel… 🟠 Vikki Slade MP 🔵 Greg Smith MP 🔴 Kevin McKenna MP Plus interviews with 🟢 Green & ⚪️ Reform leaders. ITV1 after News at Ten 📺 020
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 14/04/2026EXC: South East Water CEO David Hinton tells ITV News Meridian he's declining a bonus this year because he's "let customers down". He insists he "really understands water" and is staying on in post because "changing the team would delay improvements". 030
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 14/04/2026NEW: Tunbridge Wells MP Mike Martin describes South East Water CEO's evidence to Parliament as "utterly pathetic". The Lib Dem told ITV News Meridian the company is a "disgrace" and that David Hinton "must resign" as chief executive. 083
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 26/03/2026EXC: Sir Ed Davey has defended Lib Dem councils after new analysis found they were increasing council tax bills on average by more than those run by other parties. Sir Ed told ITV News Meridian that in many cases it was because the Tories had run the councils "very, very badly". 192
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 25/03/2026NEW: Conservative Paul Holmes accuses Labour ministers of 'gerrymandering' over decision to redraw the local council map of Hampshire. Hamble Valley MP tells ITV News Meridian new big unitary councils will mean local identity is eroded in Southampton, Portsmouth and rural areas. 010
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 25/03/2026NEW: Labour’s Darren Paffey defends the government's decision to replace 15 local councils in Hampshire with just five. The Southampton Itchen MP tells ITV News Meridian that the major shake-up will mean councils 'have enough scale' to deliver public services effectively. 110
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 24/03/2026BREAK: Reform UK has suspended Chris Parry, their mayoral candidate for Hampshire and the Solent, after a string of controversial social media posts. When he was selected, the party described the retired Rear Admiral as having an "extensive and impressive career". 101
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 24/03/2026NEW: Tunbridge Wells MP Mike Martin is calling for Ofwat to waive its £22m fine for South East Water and replace it with an enforced investment plan. The water regulator proposed the penalty for multiple supply failures in Kent and Sussex from 2020 to 2023. Full story👇 www.itv.com/news/meridia... 010
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 23/03/2026EXC: Kemi Badenoch has denied that a local election slogan to 'lower taxes' meant council tax would actually go down. The Conservative Leader told ITV News Meridian: "Council tax goes up with inflation… We’re not saying people are going to have less [tax] than they paid before." 258228
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 17/03/2026Dame Sarah Mullally told me it was a "beautiful day" as she set off on her 87 mile pilgrimage from St Paul's to Canterbury. It's the first time a new Archbishop of Canterbury has made the six day journey along the Becket Way ahead of their enthronement. 032
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 16/03/2026NEW: Aldershot MP Alex Baker has written a letter – signed by 18 other Labour MPs – urging the British government to “seize this moment” to engage with the new government of Nepal “to address the longstanding issues that Gurkha veterans have faced”. 000
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 12/03/2026Your favourite regional political programme is back! The Last Word panel: 🔵 Donna Jones 🔴 Chris Ward MP 🟢 Baroness Jenny Jones Also on this month's show: 🟠 Calum Miller MP ⚪️ Nigel Farage MP Tonight at 10.45pm on ITV1 in the Meridian region 📺 000
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 11/03/2026Bracknell MP Peter Swallow is told to leave the Commons by the Speaker because of his conduct during #PMQs. Sir Lindsay Hoyle said to the Labour backbencher: "You're going out. I've had enough... week in, week out. Either leave now or I'll name you." 020
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 09/03/2026EXC: Nigel Farage defends Reform-run Kent County Council increasing council tax by 3.99% despite election leaflets last year pledging to “reduce waste and cut your taxes”. Mr Farage told ITV News Meridian: “Cutting taxes can be not putting them up as much, I suppose.” 7322082
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 05/03/2026NEW: Folkestone & Hythe MP Tony Vaughan has co-ordinated a letter from 100 Labour MPs to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressing concerns about her asylum reforms. "We can change our immigration system for the better without forgetting who we are as Labour." 041
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 16/02/2026NEW: Reform UK leader Nigel Farage says the government's U-turn over delaying elections in Sussex is "a victory for democracy in this country". 310
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 16/02/2026NEW: Local elections "should never have been cancelled in the first place", says Lib Dem MP Jess Brown-Fuller. Chichester MP tells ITV News Meridian that the U-turn "shows the Government does not have a strategic vision for this country". 0186
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 09/02/2026NEW: Labour MP Peter Lamb calls on Sir Keir Starmer to do the “responsible thing” and set out a “timetable for departure in May”. The Crawley MP tells ITV News Meridian this would allow the party to “get on with electing a new leader”. 000
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 06/02/2026Could the Mandelson scandal spell the end of Keir Starmer’s premiership? We debate that, plus Suella Braverman’s defection, assisted dying bill stalemate in the Lords and celebrating food and drink from the South. ITV's The Last Word is available now on YouTube 👇 youtu.be/VAwDDfzRJb8?...youtu.beThe Last Word. After Mandelson: How do we restore trust in politics?YouTube video by ITV News In Full 020
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 29/01/2026NEW: Chair of the National Maternity Investigation tells ITV News Meridian she "remains committed" to publishing her final report in the Spring. Baroness Amos admits meeting the deadline will "take a lot of hard work" as she calls for more women to share their experiences. 010
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 23/01/2026EXCL: South East Water's under-fire CEO is refusing to attend Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's scrutiny meeting on Monday. In a letter seen by ITV News Meridian, David Hinton argues it's “happening too soon” for him to be able to give the committee “the answers they understandably want”. 010
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 22/01/2026BREAK: The Government cancels East and West Sussex County Council elections – for a second year in a row. Polls originally due in 2025, now won’t happen until 2027 at the earliest. 000
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 20/01/2026If you missed January's The Last Word on ITV1, you can get your fix of regional political discussion anytime on ITVX and YouTube! We discuss government U-turns, cancelling local elections and South East Water failures. 📺 www.itv.com/watch/news/t... 💻 www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2B-... 020
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 15/01/2026NEW: Lib Dem MP Layla Moran says South East Water "seems to have done the extraordinary thing of making Thames Water look good". The Oxford West & Abingdon MP says water firms should be run as "public benefit companies". 📺 'The Last Word' tonight on ITV1, ITVX & YouTube 183
Kit Bradshaw @kitbradshaw.bsky.social · 15/01/2026NEW: Poole Labour MP Neil Duncan-Jordan tells me the party’s leadership sees backbenchers like him as a "nuisance not an asset". His advice for the PM: "Listen to backbench MPs more". 📺 'The Last Word' tonight on ITV1, ITVX & YouTube 010