logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2023
49m 58s

The Best of Enemies: Thatcher & Major

THE TIMES
About this episode

As a cabinet minister under both Maragret Thatcher and John Major, Norman Fowler is perfectly placed to chronicle the rise and fall of the two prime ministers. He tells Matt about his shock at being promoted by Thatcher, his battle to draw public attention to the dangers of Aids, and why he never forgave her for talking down 'Majorism'.


Plus: Columnists James Marriott and Helen Lewis discuss whether the Tories have lost their heads over Rwanda, whether Labour has a woman problem and whether £20 is too much to pay for biscuits



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Today
"Washed-up Tories" Defecting to Reform
Former Conservative Chairman Jake Berry is the second ex-Tory minister to defect to Reform this week, but is this working in Nigel Farage's favour?Hugo Rifkind is joined by Tim Montgomerie and Zoe Strimpel to unpack the politics of the day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy ... Show More
31m 46s
Yesterday
PMQs: 'Flirting' With A Wealth Tax
Keir Starmer reiterated his tax pledges at PMQs as Kemi Badenoch accused him of 'flirting' with a wealth tax. Hugo Rifkind pauses and unpacks the exchanges from the Commons with Patrick Maguire and Jon Harvey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. 
39m 24s
Jul 8
Can Starmer and Macron Stop the Boats?
Keir Starmer is hoping to use the French President's visit as a chance to talk migration, but will they reach a deal? Hugo Rifkind is joined by Times Columnists James Marriot and Sarah Ditum to unpack the politics of the day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform ... Show More
26m 23s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2022
Prime Ministerial, from the New Statesman | Margaret Thatcher
Welcome to Prime Ministerial. In each episode Jonn Elledge and Stephen Bush will look at the legacy of the previous six prime ministers and ask whether they achieved success on their own terms. This final episode examines Margaret Thatcher’s premiership. The first woman to be pri ... Show More
48m 15s
Jul 2022
The Economist Asks: Boris Johnson resigns – what next?
After days of mounting pressure–sparked by a scandal involving his deputy chief whip–Britain’s prime minister quit as Conservative Party leader. The scandal is one of many that plagued his leadership, but the problems facing the Tories run far deeper. Host Anne McElvoy asks The E ... Show More
34m 14s
Jun 2022
Why Britain always hates its leaders in the end
In the wake of Thursday's crunch by-election results, Jack Blanchard considers why Britain always seems to turn against even its most popular prime ministers in the end. The Atlantic's Tom McTague and pollster James Johnson discuss the collapse in Boris Johnson's popularity, and ... Show More
47m 24s
Feb 2022
How to topple a prime minister
With questions swirling about Boris Johnson's future, Jack Blanchard looks into the murky world of leadership challenges and asks what it's like to topple a prime minister. Former Aussie PM Malcolm Turnbull recalls the internal coup which ended his premiership in 2018 — and expla ... Show More
57m 10s
Apr 2013
The Legacy of Margaret Thatcher
What is Margaret Thatcher's legacy? Academics Gillian Peele and Tom Lubbock discuss the legacy of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. In 1975 Margaret Thatcher defeated Edward Heath for the Leadership of the Conservative Party. Both have a firm claim to be the Prime Minister ... Show More
20m 38s
Sep 2022
The Economist Asks: Can Britain’s new prime minister solve an economic crisis?
The new leader of the Conservative Party, Liz Truss, faces an enormous task. Britain is contending with soaring energy bills, double-digit inflation and the unresolved backwash of Brexit. Host Anne McElvoy asks Lord Razzall and former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith about her path ... Show More
36m 55s
Jul 2023
The dark arts of politics
In the final episode of the season, host Aggie Chambre explores the clandestine operations, secretive briefing wars and campaign stunts that make up the darker side of politics — and asks if there is still a place for such activities in 2023. She speaks to crossbench peer John Wo ... Show More
43m 4s
Jul 2022
What's the point of Prime Minister's Questions?
As Boris Johnson prepares for his final session of Prime Minister's Questions, Ailbhe Rea takes a look inside the weekly showdown at the heart of British politics. Former PM David Cameron explains what it's really like to stand at the despatch box for a noisy session of PMQs, and ... Show More
46m 37s
Apr 2024
Angela Rayner tax claims: Smear, story or both?
Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner is facing questions about whether she paid enough tax on a house sale, almost a decade ago.       She denies any wrongdoing and has been backed by the party's leader Sir Keir Starmer, with some colleagues claiming she's being "smeared".       ... Show More
18m 47s
Jun 2024
Margaret Thatcher | Cuts, Riots, & War | 2
As Britain's first female Prime Minister, Thatcher has made history. But she's off to a shaky start: her economic policies are unpopular and lead to riots across the country. It looks like her tenure might be cut short - until ... Argentina decides to invade the Falklands islands ... Show More
52m 18s