It’s nearly time for the Edinburgh Festivals to take over the theatres, gyms, hotels, streets and pubs of Scotland’s Capital.
Taking place from August 7-28 (although there are Edinburgh Festival Fringe previews in the days running up to the official launch), there are thousands of shows and events taking place across the Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh International Book Festival, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh International Film Festival and Edinburgh Art Festival.
From film, music and dance, to theatre, comedy and spoken word, there really is something for everybody - including live interviews with some of today’s leading political brains, from former UK Prime Ministers, party leaders and Scottish First Ministers of the past, to freshly-appointed government ministers and the new Prime Minister himself.
Here are 10 of the biggest names in politics appearing at the festivals in 2026.
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5. Kemi Badenoch
It's fair to saw that Kemi Badenoch has had mixed success since becoming leader of the Convervatives in 2024. Hear what she thinks the future looks like for her party - and her reaction to the early days of Andy Burnham's time in Number 10 - at the Pleasance at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on Saturday, August 22, at 12noon. | Getty Images
6. BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, gestures as he speaks during the Conservative Party Conference at Birmingham ICC Arena on September 30, 2024 in Birmingham, England. This year's Conservative Conference follows their loss of power at the July General Election seeing the party in opposition for the first time in fourteen years. The party is amid a leadership contest and Rishi Sunak will step down once a successor has been elected. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Former Chancellor and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt will be at the Edinburgh International Book Festival discussing his book 'Can We Be Great Again?', billed as being a new take on "how our influence can be used to positively affect global democracy, migration, trade, and climate", at 3pm on Wednesday, August 19. He'll also be in conversation with journalist John Kampfner at 5pm on Thursday, August 20. | Getty Images
7. Wes Streeting
Wes Streeting was one of the frontrunners to become the new Prime Minster earlier this year, and then was tipped as a possible new Chancellor. As it turned out Andy Burnham took the top job and Streeting had to settle for being the Defence Minister. He's appearing at the Pleasance at the Edinburgh International Confernece Centre on Saturday, August 8, at 2pm. | Getty Images
8. Jeremy Corbyn
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn may have failed in his bid to become Prime Minister but remains an influential voice in British politics. Now an Independent MP, he'll no doubt have a fascinating insight into the first weeks of the new Andy Burnham government. He's appearing at the Stand 3 Comedy Club at 12.15pm on Saturday, August 8. | Getty Images