What will the government decide on North Sea drilling?
The long-awaited decision on North Sea drilling approaches, should the UK put tariffs on Chinese electric cars, and how can our politicians...
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Westminster Hour
The big political stories with lively discussion and expert comment and analysis. Presenter Carolyn Quinn is joined by politicians and journalists 10pm every Sunday on BBC Radio 4
Episodes
20 of 29 episodes11/10/2026
Radio 4's Sunday night political discussion programme.
Live discussion from the Conservative Party conference
Ben Wright is at the Conservative Party conference with Tory deputy leader, Alex Burghart, polling expert Scarlett Maguire and Lucy Fisher -...
Analysis from the Labour Party conference in Liverpool
Ben Wright broadcasts from the Labour Party conference in Liverpool with guests including the Cabinet minister and Leader of the House of Lo...
The PM prepares to meet President Trump, and the Lib Dem Conference
Ben Wright is joined by the Labour MP and new Chair of the Justice Select Committee, Catherine Atkinson; Conservative health spokesman Neil...
What is the government doing about social mobility?
Ben Wright is joined by Labour MP Zubir Ahmed, Conservative frontbencher Mims Davies and the education specialist and online commentator, Sa...
Economic growth, the Reform UK conference and the assisted dying Bill returns to Parliament
Ben Wright's guests are the Labour MP Emily Darlington; Conservative peer and former government insider, Kate Fall; and Alex Wilson - member...
Parliament's return, electoral reform and the political significance of the Bayeux Tapestry
Ben Wright is joined by the Labour MP Tom Hayes, Conservative backbencher Joe Robertson and political commentator and former government advi...
Andy Burnham's first week as prime minister
Ben Wright is joined by the minister for energy and net zero, Polly Billington; shadow transport secretary, Richard Holden; and polling expe...
Andy Burnham prepares to take power
Ben Wright is joined by the Labour backbencher Paul Waugh; Conservative former Cabinet minister, Sir John Whittingdale; and Hannah White - d...
Keir Starmer's last week in power
Ben Wright is joined by Labour's Dame Sionbhain McDonagh; Conservative MP Sir Bernard Jenkin; Lib Dem Luke Taylor; and Gawain Towler - who s...
Challenges facing the new PM on defence, foreign affairs and social care
Ben Wright is joined by Labour MP Anna Dixon, Conservative former minister Jesse Norman and commentator Miranda Green from the Financial Tim...
Andy Burnham's economic policies
Ben Wright is joined by Labour backbencher Gordon McKee; Conservative former Cabinet minister, Sir Andrew Mitchell; and Theo Bertram - an ad...
Sir Keir Starmer considers his future
Ben Wright's guests are the Labour MP and Chair of the Education Select Committee, Helen Hayes; Shadow Scotland Secretary, Andrew Bowie; and...
How will the government resolve the row over defence spending?
Ben Wright is joined by the Labour chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, Dame Emily Thornberry; Conservative peer and former Cabine...
Westminster Hour 14 June 2026
Defence spending, a possible social media ban and the Makerfield by-election.
Defence investment, the impact of AI - and two Scottish by-elections
Ben Wrigth is joined by the Labour backbencher Chris Curtis; Conservative former Science minister, George Freeman; and the polling expert, S...
Westminster Hour 7 June 2026
Policing, the impact of AI and Scottish politics.
The latest from Westminster plus, what is 'progressive politics'?
Ben Wrigth is joined by Labour MP Jack Abbott; Conservative former Cabinet minister John Glen; and Lib Dem spokesperson for Energy Security...
Westminster Hour 31 May 2026
The Prime Minister under fire, and what is "Progressive Politics"?