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

The Water Industry and Local Government Finance.

The Water Industry and Local Government Finance.

Westminster Hour

Ben Wright and guests discuss doctors' strikes, the economy and political wit.

Ben Wright and guests discuss doctors' strikes, the economy and political wit.

Westminster Hour 13 July 2025

Labour's troubles on welfare and the state visit by President Macron.

Labour's troubles on welfare and the state visit by President Macron.

Westminster Hour 6 July 2025

Labour's welfare rebellion, and their first year in power.

Labour's welfare rebellion, and their first year in power.

Westminster Hour, June 29, 2025

What next after America strikes Iran?

Westminster Hour 22 June 2025

Ben Wright and guests present Radio 4's Sunday night political discussion programme.

Ben Wright and guests present Radio 4's Sunday night political discussion programme.

Westminster Hour 15th June 2025

The spending review, ID cards, and Thatcher's shadow.

The spending review, ID cards, and Thatcher's shadow.

Westminster Hour 01 Jun 2025

Will the government U-Turn on benefits cuts?

Will the government U-Turn on benefits cuts?

Westminster Hour 25 May 2025

Ben Wright and guests discuss the UK-EU summit.

Ben Wright and guests discuss the UK-EU summit.

Westminster Hour. 18th May 2025

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

News

Government

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

Share Westminster Hour

Sign up to save your podcasts

Westminster Hour

Westminster Hour episodes

About Westminster Hour

Best of Westminster Hour

More shows like Westminster Hour

Global News Podcast

Newshour

In Our Time

The Documentary Podcast

6 Minute English

Learning English Conversations

Desert Island Discs

The Week in Westminster

Political Fix

Politics Weekly UK

The Politics Show

Coffee House Shots

Politics Unpacked

The Briefing Room

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson

Newscast

Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards

You're Dead to Me

The Missing Cryptoqueen

Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government

The Bomb

How To Win An Election

Political Currency

Politics At Sam and Anne's

Talking Politics