Westminster Hour

BBC Radio 4

The big political stories with lively discussion and expert comment and analysis from politicians and journalists, 10pm every Sunday on BBC Radio 4.

Episodes

  1. 3d ago

    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 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.

    49 min

  2. Jun 14

    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 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.

    49 min

  3. Jun 7

    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, 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.

    49 min

  4. May 31

    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 and Net Zero, Pippa Heylings. They discuss the Prime Minister's future and what is meant by "progressive politics". Bloomberg opinion columnist Rosa Prince brings additional insight and analysis. And ahead of a Commons committee hearing on government compensation schemes, Ben interviews former sub-postmaster Lee Castleton about his long-running battle for redress from the Post Office over the Horizon IT scandal.

    59 min
  • 4 Episodes

About

The big political stories with lively discussion and expert comment and analysis from politicians and journalists, 10pm every Sunday on BBC Radio 4.

Information

  • Creator
    BBC Radio 4
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2026
  • Show Website
    Westminster Hour