Profile

As Italians go to the polls it's Giorgia Meloni's right-wing party, Brothers of Italy, that's tipped to lead a centre-right coalition. But what is it about her that appeals so much to her voters?

Meloni was born in a working-class neighbourhood of Rome, and got into politics aged 15. She rose through the ranks of her local far-right party, often being sent into schools to counteract left-wing activism.

She made history in 2008 when she was appointed Youth Minister by then prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, becoming Italy's youngest ever minister.

Four years later, aged 35, she split from Berlusconi and started her own political party, the Brothers of Italy, where she has been President since 2014.

In recent years, Fratelli d'Italia has boosted its appeal and looks set to become the largest party. But with Italy's fast turnover of prime ministers, can Giorgia Meloni stay the course and deliver what Italy wants?

CREDITS

Presenter: Mark Coles

The new Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, faces big challenges in his first week in office. The state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will be at the top of his agenda, but also improving the reputation of the force.

The Met was heavily criticised following the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving policeman and the sharing of racist and sexist group chat messages by officers at Charing Cross police station. Public trust in the force was strained even further last week when an unarmed black man, Chris Kaba, was fatally shot in Streatham.

Born in Birmingham, Mark Rowley attended Handsworth Grammar School before studying mathematics at Cambridge. After university he joined the West Midlands Police force, rising through the ranks to become the Head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing, overseeing the response to the terrorist attacks in 2017.

He retired from the Met in 2018, and co-authored a crime thriller.

Now Sir Mark Rowley aims to restore public confidence in the force. So, what kind of leader will he be?

CREDITS

Presenter: Mark Coles

Described as “incredibly bright, borderline eccentric and very Thatcherite”, Kwasi Kwarteng has been MP for Spelthorne in Surrey, since 2010.

Born in London to Ghanaian parents, Kwasi Kwarteng excelled academically – he was an Eton scholar, got a double first from Cambridge University and a scholarship to Harvard.

He’s worked as a newspaper columnist, a financial analyst and has written several books on history and politics.

Kwasi Kwarteng is a long-time friend and close political ally of the new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, who’s just promoted him to the top post in the Treasury. At a time of high inflation, rising energy costs and a looming recession. So is he up to the challenge?

Mark Coles charts the life and career of the man with one of the most powerful jobs in the UK.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Credit: Sky News – Anna Jones interview with Kwasi Kwarteng, 5 August 2022

Winner of this year’s Olivier Best Actress Award for her role in the musical Cabaret, now nominated for a Mercury Prize with Bernard Butler for their album, For All Our Days That Tear the Heart.

Mark Coles profiles Killarney actress and singer Jessie Buckley, speaking to some of the family, friends and mentors who’ve helped her along the way.

Credits

Presenter: Mark Coles

Despite finishing second in the vote amongst her Conservative parliamentary colleagues, Liz Truss is seen by many as the favourite to win the leadership contest when party members have their say. But who is the woman bidding to become the UK’s third female Prime Minister? Timandra Harkness follows her unconventional journey in British politics - from child of CND campaigners to preferred candidate of the political right.

Presenter: Timandra Harkness

Just seven years after first entering Parliament as Conservative MP for Richmond, North Yorkshire, Rishi Sunak is now one vote away from becoming Prime Minister. From replacing party grandee William Hague to managing the country’s finances through the coronavirus pandemic, Mark Coles follows his journey in British politics and talks to those who know him outside the political world of Westminster.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Born in the Netherlands, the England women's football manager had a successful playing career both at home and in the US, before hanging up her boots. Mark Coles tracks her journey from playing alongside boys at the age of six to the England dugout.

Presenter: Mark Coles

The new Chancellor who came to the UK as a child refugee, began a business selling Teletubbies merchandise and is now tipped by some to become Prime Minister. Mark Coles charts the meteoric rise to power of the man who's been in the cabinet less than a year.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Timandra Harkness tells the story of the the US Supreme Court Justice at the centre of overturning the right to abortion in America. How did he go from poverty in Georgia to highest court in the land? And why did his politics change from campaigning for black rights to anti-affirmative action conservatism?

As national rail strikes disrupt train travel across the UK, what makes RMT leader Mick Lynch tick? And how did he become the leader of one of Britain's most powerful unions? With Mark Coles. Produced by Bob Howard