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Westminster Hour

BBC Radio 4
Labour Party
Conservative Party
Labour Government
Keir Starmer
Economic Stability
NHS
Conservative Leadership Contest
Rachel Reeves
Donald Trump
Joe Biden
Grenfell Tower Inquiry
University Funding
Winter Fuel Payment
Irregular Migration
DP World
Investment Summit
Rishi Sunak
Green Party
MP Safety
Brexit

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes28Founded15 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GovernmentNews

Listen to this Podcast

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Latest Episodes

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Recent Guests

Thangam Debenair
Labour peer and former MP for Bristol West
Labour Party
Episode: Westminster Hour 7 September 2025
Tina Stoll
Conservative peer and former member of David Cameron's cabinet
Conservative Party
Episode: Westminster Hour 7 September 2025
Tim Bale
Professor of Politics at Queen Mary University of London
Queen Mary University
Episode: Westminster Hour 7 September 2025
Rowena Mason
Whitehall editor at The Guardian
The Guardian
Episode: Westminster Hour 7 September 2025
Dr. Leslie Vinger-Murray
Former head of the US and America's programme at Chatham House, now president and CEO of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Episode: Westminster Hour 17 August 2025
John Colshaw
Comedian and impressionist, known for his work on Radio 4's Dead Ringers
Episode: Westminster Hour 10 August 2025
Edward Lucas
Security expert and commentator, former Lib Dem parliamentary candidate
Episode: Westminster Hour 10 August 2025
Patrick Hurley
MP for Southport
Labour
Episode: Westminster Hour 03-08-2025
Sir Andrew Mitchell
Conservative MP representing Sutton Coalfield, former International Development Secretary
Conservative Party
Episode: Westminster Hour 13 July 2025

Hosts

Ben Wright
Host of Westminster Hour and known for engaging discussions around UK politics and events.
Helen Catt
Host of Westminster Hour, highlighting political commentary and event insights.

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 361 ratings
  • Really!!!

    I used to respect this forum. As a proud Hindu and perhaps a more proud British citizen, loved that the press was independent (relatively) and spoke truthfully about the issues at hand. But I really despaired while listening to this podcast. To give an example.. your audience was waxing eloquent about the ‘integrated Britain’ of old, the need to show the ‘far right’ what British values are! What about the fact that entire swathes of Muslim communities remain segregated, follow a different commu... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Cjanoam
    United Kingdom20 days ago
  • October?

    Bloody BBC to quote the late great Alf Garnett.

    Can’t even get the date right!

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Pierre58
    United Kingdom23 days ago
  • Thanks For Everything Carolyn

    So sad that Carolyn is hanging up her hat. She’s been a delight. Thank you for your unique style of interviewing. Other political interviewers look and learn, rude confrontation does not achieve results.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lexie 77
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • Excellent

    Carolyn Quinn is a great interviewer, and always gets the balance just right in these discussions.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SocksyG
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • Well worth a listen

    Informative, interesting, Caroline Quinn is fantastic

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    killiskey
    Ireland3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

However, some express frustration with perceived biases and the choice of guests at times.
The show is noted for its balanced insights from politicians and journalists, making it valuable for understanding complex issues.
Overall, there is a strong appreciation for the host's interviewing style and the depth of analysis provided in each episode.
Listeners praise the engaging, informative discussions that provide a deep dive into current politics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#91
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#2
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#70
Canada/Government
Apple Podcasts
#16
Australia/Government
Apple Podcasts
#40
Italy/Government
Apple Podcasts
#60
France/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Westminster Hour 5 October 2025
Q: Do you think he is deluded about the scale of the problem?
There is a certain level of public anger that isn't being addressed, making it difficult for the Conservatives to regain trust.
Westminster Hour 6 July 2025
Q: What does the state visit of President Macron signify for the UK?
It's an opportunity for cooperation on defense and asylum policies, showcasing both ceremonial and political aspects.
Westminster Hour 6 July 2025
Q: How has the Prime Minister's position been affected by the rebellion over welfare reform?
The unexpected backlash from newer MPs has sparked concern about the government's ability to implement difficult reforms amidst a large majority.
Westminster Hour 6 July 2025
Q: What must Sir Keir Starmer do to turn things around in his second year?
The guests discussed the need for Labour to address internal chaos and reform the welfare system amidst potential new political parties emerging to its left.
Westminster Hour 01 Jun 2025
Q: What do you feel about the idea of introducing tactical nuclear weapons as part of the British arsenal?
Polly Billington expresses a need for a strong deterrent and emphasizes the importance of national security.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Westminster Hour

What is Westminster Hour about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A political discussion forum focusing on current events, governance, and political dynamics in the UK. The conversations are lively, bringing together politicians, journalists, and experts who provide insights into pressing topics such as policy changes, party dynamics, and international relations. Each episode likely features in-depth analyses of the latest political developments, challenges faced by governing bodies, and the public's response to various issues. This regular engagement with high-caliber guests helps clarify complex political matters, making it an informative and essential listen for anyone interested in UK politics.

Where can I find podcast stats for Westminster Hour?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Westminster Hour. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Westminster Hour and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Westminster Hour get?

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What are the audience demographics for Westminster Hour?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Westminster Hour, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Westminster Hour have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Westminster Hour has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Westminster Hour?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Westminster Hour:

1. The Week in Westminster
2. Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government
3. Political Fix
4. Political Thinking with Nick Robinson
5. Newscast

How many episodes of Westminster Hour are there?

Westminster Hour launched 15 years ago and published 28 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Westminster Hour?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Westminster Hour?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Westminster Hour from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Westminster Hour?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Westminster Hour. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Westminster Hour?

Recent guests on Westminster Hour include:

1. Thangam Debenair
2. Tina Stoll
3. Tim Bale
4. Rowena Mason
5. Dr. Leslie Vinger-Murray
6. John Colshaw
7. Edward Lucas
8. Patrick Hurley

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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