Talkback with Petrie Hosken

An investigation has revealed a persistent UK speeding culture, with over 30,000 drivers caught exceeding 30mph in 20mph zones and 275,000 topping 40mph in 30mph areas last year. Shocking extreme cases include 89mph in a 20mph limit in Wales and a terrifying 161mph overall on the M6. Despite widespread 20mph rollouts to reduce fatalities, severe speeding continues.  Petire is asking, are curr...

Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, stunned Westminster by announcing his resignation as an MP, triggering a Clacton by-election where he intends to run again. He's claimed he is stepping down to clear his name amid a furious row over undisclosed financial donations and escalating standards investigations.  Some praise his defiant political gamble to secure a fresh mandate, but do you think...

An investigation has revealed that the Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage received extensive, undisclosed financial support from a convicted fraudster called George Cottrell. Cottrell reportedly funded Farage’s private security, drivers, social media staff, and London accommodation before his 2024 election.  This surfaces alongside an ongoing parliamentary standards probe into an unrelated £5 mil...

As Andy Burnham prepares for Labour leadership, addressing internal gender dynamics has become a top priority. Female Labour MPs have criticized a persistent boys' club culture within the party and called for the next PM to commit to a 50/ 50 gender split. Speaking to the women’s parliamentary Labour party, Burnham promised to stamp out this behaviour, pledging that anyone caught undermining...

New research shows that antisocial behaviour is forcing tens of thousands of Britons to move house. 15% of households have said antisocial behaviour is so bad in their area that they have considered moving home, while six per cent said antisocial behaviour had driven them out of their homes. Is antisocial behaviour out of control? Petrie gets your feelings after talking to Broadcaster, Clare Muldo...

Andy Burnham has made his first major policy speech since launching his bid to become Prime Minister. He used his first major address since returning to Westminster to set out his future plans. He said he will take power out of the centre with an expansion of the PM’s office to Manchester in what he called Number 10 North. Do you think Burnham will deliver on all of his promises? Petrie speak...

As the extreme June heatwave shatters records in the UK and in Europe, pets are facing life-threatening dangers. Unlike humans, animals struggle to cool down, risking fatal heatstroke, severe dehydration, and painfully scorched paws. So what should we do to support our furry friends, what should we avoid? Plus how are you dealing with the soaring temperatures? Veterinary Surgeon, Steve Leonard, ta...

23rd June marks exactly 10 years since the historic Brexit referendum, and British politics remains defined by unprecedented volatility.  Over the last decade we have witnessed intense institutional friction, rapid-fire prime ministerial successions, and a fundamental reshaping of the UK’s democratic fabric.  What would you vote for if they held the referendum again today? Would it be an...

Following months of mounting pressure, PM Keir Starmer officially announced his resignation outside 10 Downing Street.  As his departure was triggered by Andy Burnham’s recent Makerfield by-election triumph, Burnham immediately launched his leadership bid, becoming the frontrunner to succeed Starmer as Prime Minister. With this resignation, the U.K is set to have 7 Prime Ministers in 10 years...

The UK Law Commission is reviewing homicide laws, proposing a landmark shift to split murder into first and second degree categories. Under the proposed reforms, first-degree murder would be reserved strictly for intentional killings, retaining the mandatory life tariff. Second-degree murder would apply to cases where the offender only intended to cause serious harm, or where partial def...

Keir Starmer has delayed major cuts to disability benefits after a massive rebellion by his own Labour MPs. The government has dropped a strict new test that would have made it much harder for people to get Personal Independence Payments, with major changes expected later in the year. Meanwhile, the Conservatives are launching a review into the sickness and disability benefits in their bid to make...

Elon Musk has become the world's first trillionaire after the record-breaking stock market debut of his company SpaceX. According to Bloomberg, Musk’s estimated net worth sits at about $1.11trillion. With his in mind, Petrie is asking you what should the mega rich do with their money? What would you do if you were a trillionaire? Associate Professor of Mathematics, Richard Elwes, lays out just how...

The 2026 World Cup starts with the very first game in Mexico City, where Mexico plays South Africa. This big tournament is happening across 3 countries: the USA, Canada, and Mexico. But this World Cup has been facing a number of issues; fans are angry because tickets cost too much, hotel workers in America are threatening to strike and a referee from Somalia has not been allowed to enter the US. A...

Belfast has been on high alert following a brutal knife attack in the Northern Ireland city. Protesters have gathered and some have been starting fires throughout. This follows multiple similar incidents across the country, so Petrie wants to know if you feel that Britain is now a tinderbox? We hear your instant reactions following hearing from Broadcast Journalist with U105 in Belfast, Caoim...

A new Gen Z trend appears to be admitting that you have no friends. Social media videos can be seen that normalise, and occasionally glamourise, the act of being alone and staying in. The popularity of these posts coincide with rising reports of loneliness among young people. Petrie wants to know; do you think that having no friends is lonely or bliss? How many friends do you have? What do you thi...

The Hologic Global Women’s Health Index is painting a worrying picture for women in Britain. The survey of over 76,000 women and girls worldwide found that those in the UK are some of the angriest in Europe and showing that anger levels have risen sharply, with a 47% increase on the previous year.  Why are women more in pain and more angry? What is it that makes you anxious? What really...

Reckless e-bike riding has forced the Netherlands to test a strict 12mph speed limit on cycle paths. Now, the UK is facing the same problem. British safety groups want tougher laws as official data shows that over 15,000 people are injured in bicycle and e-scooters crashes, with around 80 cyclists killed or seriously hurt every year. Petrie is asking if you think we need to bring in stricter laws...

A King’s speech has set out the government’s legislative agenda, but will it be Keir Starmer’s leadership that will implement it? Wes Streeting’s allies say that the Health secretary is about to resign and is going to mount a formal challenge for the leadership of the Labour Party. What did you make of The King's speech? Former Newspaper Editor and Political Commentator, Paul Connew, gives an upda...

At the time of the show, Prime Minister Keir Starmer continues his fight for political survival. Four members of his government, including Home Office minister Jess Phillips, have so far resigned in protest; many Labour MPs are calling for him to quit following the disastrous set of elections for the Labour party last week. Deputy Political Editor of The Sun, Ryan Sabey, gets Petrie up to speed on...

At time of broadcast, Prime Minister Keir Starmer continues to fight for his political survival after a disastrous set of local elections. In a defiant make-or-break speech, Starmer admitted his early messaging was too gloomy but vowed to prove doubters wrong. Meanwhile, the number of Labour MPs calling for Starmer to resign is growing. Do you think his time is up? Or should he stay? We hear...

Welsh nurseries have been advised to report children for “racist incidents” in guidance backed by the Labour Government. The Welsh Labour Government has endorsed new guidance for childcare providers and those caring for toddlers to report racist incidents to the police if they constitute hate crimes.  Petrie is asking you, can toddlers be racist? Child Psychologist and Broadcaster, Dr Russell...

MET Police detectives are reportedly still pushing for prime suspect of the Madeline McCann case, Christian Brueckner, to stand trial in the UK.  Senior officers are building a case for the Crown Prosecution Service, aiming for an Old Bailey trial for abduction and murder before the 20th anniversary of Madeleine’s disappearance next year. However, a major hurdle remains: Germany’s consti...

BRITS think there will be widespread riots this summer, a poll reveals. They also think there will be widespread lawlessness as the cost of living crisis bites. 79% of Brits predict riots this summer. And 83% are braced for a rise in shoplifting because of soaring bills. Does this resonate with you? Are you worried about escalations this summer? Petrie speaks to Former Director of Comms for The Co...

Two Jewish men were stabbed in North West London, the latest of a series of antisemitic attacks in the area in recent weeks; this attack in Golders Green has been declared a terrorist incident. In light of these events and the plethora of others that have happened in recent memory across the country, Petrie is asking how do we stop the hate that seems to be sweeping the nation? Security Analyst an...

The Tony Blair Institute has suggested that the government should introduce an "emergency handbrake" to cut the number of people who are receiving health and disability benefits. It says people diagnosed with conditions such as mild depression or ADHD should not be eligible for cash benefits as it argues such conditions should be classed as "non-work limiting" and therefore offer people support ra...