The Political Arena

Rt Hon Amber Rudd

Before serving as only the fifth woman to hold one of Britain’s Great Offices of State, Amber represented the UK at the Paris climate change conference as Energy and Climate Change Secretary. As Home Secretary she led calls for tech companies to take greater responsibility for the spread of radicalising content online. After also serving as Work and Pensions Secretary and Women and Equalities Minister, Amber left the Government amid the bitter arguments over the pursuing of a no-deal Brexit policy.

Rt Hon Baroness (Harriet) Harman

One of the longest-serving MPs in Parliamentary history, Harriet spent over 40 years in the Commons where she built a widely-respected reputation as both a campaigner and an effective minister. She played key roles in reforming legislation around employment rights, equality and welfare, led the Labour Party twice, and chaired the influential Privileges Select Committee.

Rt Hon Lord (William) Hague

William served as Party Leader, Commons Leader and Foreign Secretary – contending with war in Libya, terrorist threats, and relations with Europe. He weighs up the impact of Brexit, China, the invasion of Ukraine, and inflation on government policy, national security and globalisation. How will political leaders respond to the key challenges: from migration and populism to Putin's aggression and Xi Jinping's attitude towards tech and trade battles?

Emily Maitlis

Emily co-hosts the daily podcast The News Agents, with Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall. She was previously the lead anchor on Newsnight and has written a personal examination of the world of broadcast news in Airhead: The Imperfect Art of Making News. 

Alastair Campbell

Alastair ran Labour’s communications for ten years, in and out of government. Alongside co-hosting The Rest is Politics podcast, he advises on both political and organisational strategy, as well as working extensively with charities and campaigning around mental health. He’s written a slew of books including Winners, drawing inspiration from high achievers in sport, business and politics. In presentations Alastair explains what to do when you come under pressure: “Challenge your basic assumptions, put yourselves in your opponent’s shoes, devise a tight plan from the centre... and then pursue it with aggression.”

Ed Balls

Noted as one of the leading economic voices in the Labour governments of the 1990s and 2000s, Ed was a key architect of policies from the independence of the Bank of England to the minimum wage. Having left politics he now has roles at Harvard and King’s College alongside a new life encompassing everything from Strictly to chairing Norwich City FC. As well as insights into Europe, populism, and economics he reveals a lighter look at Westminster and his career.

Rt Hon Lord (David) Blunkett

As Home Secretary David was in charge of security, immigration and policing. He is now Chairman of a multi-Academy Trust and an advisor to easyJet. As well as sharing insights on cyber-crime and crisis management, David considers how leaders can best engage with the public and counter the widespread sense of grievance. He argues for business to take a lead: “You are a part of our communities, not just employers of people with certain skills.” After dinner he takes a lighter look at a life in politics - both highs and lows – from The Queen offering to cut up his meal, to Sarkozy claiming to have intercepted his emails.

Nick Robinson

Before fronting Radio 4’s Today and various documentaries, Nick guided the nation through each political twist and turn with a ready wit and piercing insight. After dinner he might reveal why David Cameron sent him a note signed ‘Yours, Cucumber’ – or how a former Bank of England Governor’s shopping trip to Truro very nearly caused a major currency crisis.

Rt Hon George Osborne

After serving as Shadow Chancellor, George entered Number 11 with an economy struggling in the wake of the financial crisis. Taking tough decisions, he steered the UK towards a recovery that surpassed many other developed economies. He now lends his political energies and economic and strategic insight to his Northern Powerhouse project, is a partner at boutique investment bank Robey Warshaw LLP, and with Ed Balls hosts the podcast Political Currency.

Robert Peston

Robert Peston is ITV's Political Editor, as well as the presenter of the channel's flagship politics show Peston, where he covers the latest developments in Westminster and beyond. He's also co-host of the podcast The Rest is Money alongside Steph McGovern, where they explore stories from the world of business and finance. He has won a number of awards for his work - including Journalist of the Year, Specialist Journalist of the Year and Scoop of the Year (twice) from the Royal Television Society.

Jon Sopel

Jon is an award-winning journalist and television presenter. He is the co-host of the podcast The News Agents, alongside Emily Maitlis, and Lewis Goodall. Prior to this Jon was the BBC's North America Editor, during which he conducted an exclusive interview with President Obama, travelled on Air Force One, and famously clashed with President Trump at a White House news conference.

Dr Pippa Malmgren

Since serving in the White House, Pippa has founded an advisory firm, co-founded a robotics company, and written bestsellers on the world economy and leadership. She's advised the UK Department of International Trade and the MoD, as well as investors, policy makers and startups. She identifies actionable trends by weaving together geopolitics, technology, policy and economics. Pippa describes herself as an unusually optimistic economist.

Professor Stephen Chan

A leading authority on international politics and relations, particularly involving China, Africa and the West, Stephen advises governments, businesses and NGOs around the world. He's advised the Foreign Office, and worked with the State Council of the Chinese Prime Minister. He served as a member of the Africa-China-US Trilateral Dialogue to establish trading rules and is widely credited with greatly contributing to the understanding of international politics in general, and African politics in particular.

Paul Johnson

Before heading the independent research institute Paul was the Treasury’s Director of Public Spending. Now heading arguably the country’s leading economic research organisation, Paul considers the size of cuts to come, welfare and tax. He also examines radical changes in pension policy and how well pensioners are doing relative to those of working age; the behaviour of the labour market; and how we have witnessed a fall in living standards combined with a fall in inequality.

Rt Hon Rory Stewart

Before serving as a cabinet minister and making a widely-praised contribution to the Conservative Party leadership contest, Rory governed two Iraqi provinces, set up a charity, trekked across Afghanistan, and lectured at Harvard. Together with Alastair Campbell, he hosts the podcasts The Rest is Politics and Leading.

Baroness Ayesha Hazarika

Having moved from the civil service to comedy to Harriet Harman’s Chief of Staff and now back to comedy, Ayesha has gone from writing policy and speeches to writing jokes and commentary pieces. With a combination of humour and insight she looks at politics, the operation of government, what goes on behind the scenes of Westminster and what might happen next.

Lyse Doucet

One of the BBC’s most widely respected journalists, Lyse has covered some of the most tumultuous events around the world, from the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan to the Arab Spring uprisings and the war in Ukraine. Despite the conflict and terror, she’s an unshakeable optimist, seeing the humanity and unity of people in the toughest of circumstances. She analyses the political and social uncertainty the world faces, and considers the nature of risk. She also reveals the lighter side to reporting from some of the world’s most dangerous places.

Beth Rigby

As well as covering all things politics for Sky News, Beth hosts her own interview show talking to decision-makers from all walks of life. The former Financial Times political editor is known for her matter-of-fact reporting, especially around the Brexit negotiations. She shares stories from the corridors of Westminster and what goes on behind the cameras.