Ben Wright is joined by the Labour MP and new Chair of the Justice Select Committee, Catherine Atkinson; Conservative health spokesman Neil Shastri-Hurst; and the Liberal Democrats' foreign affairs spokesperson, Calum Miller. The former diplomat and National Security Adviser, Sir Mark Lyall Grant, joins them to discuss the Prime Minister's trip to the UN General Assembly and expected first meeting with Donald Trump. The panel also consider changes to the way courts operate, intended to speed up rape trials. And Harry Farley speaks to grassroots Lib Dems, attending their annual conference in Brighton, about their ambitions for the party. Lara Spirit - deputy political editor of The Sunday Times - brings additional insight and analysis.

Ben Wright is joined by the Labour MP and new Chair of the Justice Select Committee, Catherine Atkinson; Conservative health spokesman Neil Shastri-Hurst; and the Liberal Democrats' foreign affairs spokesperson, Calum Miller. The former diplomat and National Security Adviser, Sir Mark Lyall Grant, joins them to discuss the Prime Minister's trip to the UN General Assembly and expected first meeting with Donald Trump. The panel also consider changes to the way courts operate, intended to speed up rape trials. And Harry Farley speaks to grassroots Lib Dems, attending their annual conference in Brighton, about their ambitions for the party. Lara Spirit - deputy political editor of The Sunday Times - brings additional insight and analysis.

The PM prepares to meet President Trump, and the Lib Dem Conference

Ben Wright broadcasts from the Labour Party conference in Liverpool with guests including the Cabinet minister and Leader of the House of Lords, Angela Smith; Professor of Politics at Liverpool University, Jon Tonge; and Jessica Elgot - deputy political editor of The Guardian. They discuss the Prime Minister's pledge to fix social care and the competing demands on the public purse. Ben reports on the mood among delegates - and with a different perspective, Conservative frontbencher Joy Morrissey also joins the panel down the line. And is it time to reassess the impact of the IMF crisis, fifty years after the dramatic events of September 1976?

Ben Wright broadcasts from the Labour Party conference in Liverpool with guests including the Cabinet minister and Leader of the House of Lords, Angela Smith; Professor of Politics at Liverpool University, Jon Tonge; and Jessica Elgot - deputy political editor of The Guardian. They discuss the Prime Minister's pledge to fix social care and the competing demands on the public purse. Ben reports on the mood among delegates - and with a different perspective, Conservative frontbencher Joy Morrissey also joins the panel down the line. And is it time to reassess the impact of the IMF crisis, fifty years after the dramatic events of September 1976?

Analysis from the Labour Party conference in Liverpool

Ben Wright is at the Conservative Party conference with Tory deputy leader, Alex Burghart, polling expert Scarlett Maguire and Lucy Fisher - Whitehall editor of the Financial Times. They discuss Kemi Badenoch's blueprint for government and her focus on economic growth - with Treasury minister Dan Tomlinson also joining in down the line. Ben spends time speaking to grassroots party members to assess their morale. And the programme includes a report from the Green Party of England and Wales conference in Brighton - where delegates passed a controversial motion declaring that "Zionism is racism".

Ben Wright is at the Conservative Party conference with Tory deputy leader, Alex Burghart, polling expert Scarlett Maguire and Lucy Fisher - Whitehall editor of the Financial Times. They discuss Kemi Badenoch's blueprint for government and her focus on economic growth - with Treasury minister Dan Tomlinson also joining in down the line. Ben spends time speaking to grassroots party members to assess their morale. And the programme includes a report from the Green Party of England and Wales conference in Brighton - where delegates passed a controversial motion declaring that "Zionism is racism".

Live discussion from the Conservative Party conference

Radio 4's Sunday night political discussion programme.

Radio 4's Sunday night political discussion programme.

11/10/2026

Ben Wright is joined by the Labour MP Tom Hayes, Conservative backbencher Joe Robertson and political commentator and former government adviser, Salma Shah. They look ahead to the return of parliament and Andy Burnham's Commons debut as prime minister. They also discuss the multiple challenges facing him, including the early release of prisoners. Jessica Elgot - deputy political editor of The Guardian - brings additional expert analysis. Other topics for discussion include electoral reform and the political significance of the Bayeux Tapestry throughout its history.

Ben Wright is joined by the Labour MP Tom Hayes, Conservative backbencher Joe Robertson and political commentator and former government adviser, Salma Shah. They look ahead to the return of parliament and Andy Burnham's Commons debut as prime minister. They also discuss the multiple challenges facing him, including the early release of prisoners. Jessica Elgot - deputy political editor of The Guardian - brings additional expert analysis. Other topics for discussion include electoral reform and the political significance of the Bayeux Tapestry throughout its history.

Parliament's return, electoral reform and the political significance of the Bayeux Tapestry

All the thrills of the Labour Party conference.

All the thrills of the Labour Party conference.

Westminster Hour 28 September 2025

Recognising Palestine, The Party Conferences and Patriotism.

Recognising Palestine, The Party Conferences and Patriotism.

Westminster Hour 21 September 2025

The fallout from Lord Mandelson's sacking

The fallout from Lord Mandelson's sacking

Westminster Hour 14 September 2025

Ben Wright and guests analyse Keir Starmer's reshuffle and the Reform UK conference.

Ben Wright and guests analyse Keir Starmer's reshuffle and the Reform UK conference.

Westminster Hour 7 September 2025

Ben Wright previewing the new term in parliament.

Ben Wright previewing the new term in parliament.

Westminster Hour 31 August 2025

We discuss the asylum process and Kemi Badenoch’s leadership of the Conservative party

We discuss the asylum process and Kemi Badenoch’s leadership of the Conservative party

We discuss the asylum process and Kemi Badenoch’s leadership&nbsp;of the Conservative party

Westminster Hour 24th August 2025

Ukraine, Palestine Action and the effect of declining trust in the politics.

Ukraine, Palestine Action and the effect of declining trust in the politics.

Westminster Hour 17 August 2025

Gaza, deporting foreign criminals, and changes to driving laws.

Gaza, deporting foreign criminals, and changes to driving laws.

Westminster Hour 10 August 2025

Illegal Migration, Aftermath of the Southport attack and summer reading recommendations

Illegal Migration, Aftermath of the Southport attack and summer reading recommendations

Westminster Hour 03-08-2025

Keir Starmer's meeting with Donald Trump, farming and asylum hotels

Keir Starmer's meeting with Donald Trump, farming and asylum hotels

Westminster Hour 27 July 2025

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

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

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