PodcastsGovernmentWestminster Hour

Westminster Hour

BBC Radio 4
Westminster Hour
Latest episode

62 episodes

  • Westminster Hour

    Sir Keir Starmer considers his future

    21/06/2026 | 48 mins.
    Ben Wright's guests are the Labour MP and Chair of the Education Select Committee, Helen Hayes; Shadow Scotland Secretary, Andrew Bowie; and Professor of Politics, Philip Cowley. They discuss the anticipated resignation of Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister - and what a government led by Andy Burnham might mean for the country. Ben interviews the former Labour leader, Lord Kinnock; economist Professor Michael Jacobs; and political historian Sir Anthony Seldon. Lara Spirit - deputy political editor of the Sunday Times - brings additional insight and analysis.
  • Westminster Hour

    Westminster Hour 14 June 2026

    14/06/2026 | 48 mins.
    Defence spending, a possible social media ban and the Makerfield by-election.
  • Westminster Hour

    How will the government resolve the row over defence spending?

    14/06/2026 | 48 mins.
    Ben Wright is joined by the Labour chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, Dame Emily Thornberry; Conservative peer and former Cabinet minister, Mark Harper; and the founder of the Centre for Social Justice, Tim Montgomerie - a prominent supporter of Reform UK. They discuss funding for defence and look ahead to the Makerfield by-election. Ben also interviews the chief executive of the NSPCC, Chris Sherwood, about a social media ban for under-16s. And Lucy Fisher - Whitehall editor of the Financial Times - brings additional expert insight and analysis on all the topics.
  • Westminster Hour

    Westminster Hour 7 June 2026

    07/06/2026 | 49 mins.
    Policing, the impact of AI and Scottish politics.
  • Westminster Hour

    Defence investment, the impact of AI - and two Scottish by-elections

    07/06/2026 | 49 mins.
    Ben Wrigth is joined by the Labour backbencher Chris Curtis; Conservative former Science minister, George Freeman; and the polling expert, Scarlett Maguire. They discuss the controversy over policing following the murder of Henry Nowak and how it's been handled by different political parties. They also look ahead to London Tech Week and consider the possible benefits as well as the negative impacts of AI. Ben interview Rohan Silva, a former tech adviser to the Cameron government. The panel are later joined by Kirsty Blackman - chief whip for the SNP at Westminster - to talk about the two forthcoming by-elections on the east coast of Scotland. The Guardian's deputy political editor, Jessica Elgot, brings additional expert analysis.
More Government podcasts
About Westminster Hour
The big political stories with lively discussion and expert comment and analysis from politicians and journalists, 10pm every Sunday on BBC Radio 4.
Podcast website

Listen to Westminster Hour, Global Security Briefing and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app

Get the free radio.net app

  • Stations and podcasts to bookmark
  • Stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
  • Supports Carplay & Android Auto
  • Many other app features
Westminster Hour: Podcasts in Family
  • Podcast Space
    Space
    Science