20 Questions With

Barry Gardiner, a Labour MP for almost 30 years and counting, explains why he thinks Keir Starmer should be replaced as Labour leader and Prime Minister, and why he has faith in the British public that they won't vote in a Reform government.

Opera sensation Danielle de Niese charts her rise to worldwide fame as the daughter of Sri Lankan Burgher immigrants to first Australia and then America. Debuting at the Met as a 19 year-old Barbarina in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, she has gone to star in opera houses around the world, including at Glyndebourne, where she now lives with her husband. Hailed as "Opera's Coolest Soprano" by the New York Times in 2009, de Niese takes us behind the scenes of her success and offers insights into her art, as she embarks on her first directorial role.

Immigration Minister Mike Tapp explains the government's immigration and asylum policy, outlines his "firm but fair" approach, defends Prime Minister Keir Starmer and calls for stability - "Look, I don't give a sh*t - can I swear on here? - I don't give a sh*t if people think that Keir Starmer's boring. We need boring, because that goes hand in hand with stability" - celebrates the Union Jack, describes British culture, calls out antisemitism and Islamophobia, advocates for the Labour government's record, reveals his interests outside of politics, and shares his love of his dog, Scooby.

What was it like being Chancellor of the Exchequer during the mini budget crisis under Liz Truss's brief Prime Ministership? Kwasi Kwarteng takes us back to the fateful days in the autumn of 2022 with his insider's view. He explains why he was filmed smiling during the Queen's funeral and offers a human perspective on politics. Taking partial responsibility for the economic turbulence during the second shortest Chancellorship in British history, he reflects on the impact of his and Truss's choices. He also looks ahead to the next election and offers his prescription for a Tory recovery and his verdict so far on Kemi Badenoch. And he gives his view of Nigel Farage, who has invested in a bitcoin company Kwarteng is involved with. This is a rare chance to go behind the scenes of power and to better understand one of the most dramatic periods of British political history. 

* Reform’s predicted national share of the vote from the local elections is 27%

Former Conservative Justice Secretary David Gauke outlines his vision of a route back to power for the Tories amid the headwinds from Reform.