Conversations with leading political figures in which they reflect on their lives in politics.
Radio 4,·40 episodes
John Kerry
James Naughtie talks to veteran US politician John Kerry about his life and career.
10 Jul 2025,·37 mins
Diane Abbott
Labour MP Diane Abbott reflects on a life in politics in conversation with James Naughtie.
17 Jul 2025,·29 mins
Malcolm Rifkind
Former Conservative foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind reflects on a life in politics.
24 Jul 2025,·29 mins
Steve Baker
The adventures of an arch Brexiteer: James Naughtie talks to former MP Steve Baker.
31 Jul 2025,·28 mins
Trailer
David Runciman tells the story of the 1945 election and the dawn of a new age.
04 Jun 2025,·2 mins
1. The Rejection
Why did Winston Churchill find himself so decisively rejected by the electorate?
09 Jun 2025,·14 mins
2. Mr Churchill and Mr Attlee
With the war in Europe at an end, Churchill and Attlee became fierce election rivals.
10 Jun 2025,·14 mins
3. The Beveridge Report
William Beveridge's plan was an answer to the question of what we were fighting for.
11 Jun 2025,·14 mins
4. Public Opinion
How could politicians know what voters were thinking in 1945?
12 Jun 2025,·14 mins
5. The Soldiers' Election
During the 1945 election, there were still almost five million servicemen and women.
13 Jun 2025,·14 mins
6. Appealing to Women
How did the 1945 election reflect the dramatically changed working lives of women?
16 Jun 2025,·15 mins
7. The Labour Manifesto
Uniquely in modern British history, the 1945 Labour Manifesto was a genuine bestseller.
17 Jun 2025,·14 mins
8. Healthcare for All
The war changed many things, and access to healthcare was one of them.
18 Jun 2025,·14 mins
9. Churchill's 'Gestapo' Broadcast
Churchill's first election broadcast in 1945 might be remembered as his greatest gaffe.
19 Jun 2025,·14 mins
10. India and Empire
The question of self-government for India would have to be confronted when war was over.
20 Jun 2025,·14 mins
11. Homes for Heroes
The 1945 election was fought and decided over two main issues: demobilisation and housing.
23 Jun 2025,·14 mins
12. Art, War and Propaganda
With the creation of the Arts Council in 1945, on-going state patronage of the arts began.
24 Jun 2025,·14 mins
13. From Yalta to Potsdam
Between the Yalta and Potsdam conferences, everything changed.
25 Jun 2025,·14 mins
14. United Nations
Both main parties supported the United Nations, but they disagreed about what that meant.
26 Jun 2025,·14 mins
15. Debt to America
In 1945, Britain was the most indebted country in the world.
27 Jun 2025,·14 mins
16. The Result
The immediate result of the general election in 1945 was silence: a three-week hiatus.
30 Jun 2025,·14 mins
17. A New Jerusalem?
How much of Britain’s past were Labour willing to jettison in 1945?
01 Jul 2025,·14 mins
18. Churchill: Lion in Winter
What happened to Winston Churchill in the years after the 1945 general election?
02 Jul 2025,·14 mins
19. Post-postwar
When did the postwar period end?
03 Jul 2025,·14 mins
20. What if?
What would Britain have been like if Winston Churchill had won the 1945 general election?
04 Jul 2025,·14 mins
Michael Gove and guests discuss how best to navigate tough times in politics.
17 Oct 2024,·3 mins
Margaret Hodge
Michael Gove talks to Margaret Hodge about the importance of working with other parties.
21 Oct 2024,·25 mins
Peter Mandelson
Michael Gove talks to Peter Mandelson about the challenge of managing unpopularity.
22 Oct 2024,·23 mins
Amber Rudd
Michael Gove talks to Amber Rudd about how and why she chose to take stands of principle.
23 Oct 2024,·30 mins
Arlene Foster
Michael Gove talks to Arlene Foster about the challenge of managing schisms in her party.
24 Oct 2024,·22 mins
