Politically Podcast
Politically is BBC Radio 4's home for insightful, inside takes on how politics and power really work.
Politically is BBC Radio 4's home for insightful, inside takes on how politics and power really work.
Step into a world steeped in ambition and intrigue... a world that demands tough decisions and delicate compromises.
And let those who've walked the corridors of power reveal how they believe them best navigated, through the frank and illuminating series you'll find in this feed.
Episodes to download
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Caroline Lucas—Reflections: Series 4
Mon 20 Jul 2026
3/3 The former Green Party leader discusses power, getting arrested and listening to opponents
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Jeremy Hunt—Reflections: Series 4
Mon 13 Jul 2026
2/3 The former chancellor reflects on tough choices and political resurrection.
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Jerry Brown—Reflections: Series 4
Mon 29 Jun 2026
1/3 The former California governor talks to James Naughtie about sin, excess and JFK.
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10: Impact on Politics—Ten Years After Brexit
Fri 19 Jun 2026
10/10 Why has Brexit had such a profound effect on British politics?
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9: Impact on Europe—Ten Years After Brexit
Thu 18 Jun 2026
9/10 What effect did Brexit have on the EU?
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8: Fishing and Farming—Ten Years After Brexit
Wed 17 Jun 2026
8/10 Why did fishing and farming resonate so deeply during the Brexit referendum debate?
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7: Science and Academia—Ten Years After Brexit
Tue 16 Jun 2026
7/10 How has Brexit impacted science and academia in Britain?
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6: Regulatory Freedom—Ten Years After Brexit
Mon 15 Jun 2026
6/10 Has the UK made the most of its post-Brexit regulatory freedom?
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5: The Union—Ten Years After Brexit
Fri 12 Jun 2026
5/10 How did Brexit change the devolved nations' relationship with Westminster and the EU?
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4: Northern Ireland—Ten Years After Brexit
Thu 11 Jun 2026
4/10 How was Northern Ireland affected by the UK's decision to leave the EU?
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3: Immigration—Ten Years After Brexit
Wed 10 Jun 2026
3/10 Did Brexit succeed in 'taking back control' of immigration?
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2. Trade—Ten Years After Brexit
Tue 9 Jun 2026
2/10 Alex Forsyth examines the impact leaving the EU has had on UK trade and investment.
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1. The Economy—Ten Years After Brexit
Mon 8 Jun 2026
1/10 Alex Forsyth and guests discuss the impact leaving the EU has had on the UK economy.
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Steve Baker—Reflections: Series 3
Thu 31 Jul 2025
4/4 The adventures of an arch Brexiteer: James Naughtie talks to former MP Steve Baker.
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Malcolm Rifkind—Reflections: Series 3
Thu 24 Jul 2025
3/4 Former Conservative foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind reflects on a life in politics.
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Diane Abbott—Reflections: Series 3
Thu 17 Jul 2025
2/4 Labour MP Diane Abbott reflects on a life in politics in conversation with James Naughtie.
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John Kerry—Reflections: Series 3
Thu 10 Jul 2025
1/4 James Naughtie talks to veteran US politician John Kerry about his life and career.
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20. What if?—Postwar
Fri 4 Jul 2025
20/20 What would Britain have been like if Winston Churchill had won the 1945 general election?
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18. Churchill: Lion in Winter—Postwar
Wed 2 Jul 2025
18/20 What happened to Winston Churchill in the years after the 1945 general election?
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17. A New Jerusalem?—Postwar
Tue 1 Jul 2025
17/20 How much of Britain’s past were Labour willing to jettison in 1945?
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16. The Result—Postwar
Mon 30 Jun 2025
16/20 The immediate result of the general election in 1945 was silence: a three-week hiatus.
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15. Debt to America—Postwar
Fri 27 Jun 2025
15/20 In 1945, Britain was the most indebted country in the world.
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14. United Nations—Postwar
Thu 26 Jun 2025
14/20 Both main parties supported the United Nations, but they disagreed about what that meant.
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13. From Yalta to Potsdam—Postwar
Wed 25 Jun 2025
13/20 Between the Yalta and Potsdam conferences, everything changed.
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12. Art, War and Propaganda—Postwar
Tue 24 Jun 2025
12/20 With the creation of the Arts Council in 1945, on-going state patronage of the arts began.
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11. Homes for Heroes—Postwar
Mon 23 Jun 2025
11/20 The 1945 election was fought and decided over two main issues: demobilisation and housing.
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10. India and Empire—Postwar
Fri 20 Jun 2025
10/20 The question of self-government for India would have to be confronted when war was over.
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9. Churchill's 'Gestapo' Broadcast—Postwar
Thu 19 Jun 2025
9/20 Churchill's first election broadcast in 1945 might be remembered as his greatest gaffe.
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8. Healthcare for All—Postwar
Wed 18 Jun 2025
8/20 The war changed many things, and access to healthcare was one of them.
