Evan Davis: How to interview politicians

A politician can be very different from other interviewees. So what do you need to watch out for, and how can you control the conversation?

In this video, former Newsnight presenter Evan Davis discusses:

  • how politicians differ from other interviewees
  • how to control the interview narrative
  • how to deal with politicians if they avoid the question
  • how and when to interrupt

After working as the BBC’s economics editor and a presenter on Radio 4’s Today programme, Evan Davis became the lead presenter of Newsnight in 2014. He is now presenter of Radio 4’s PM programme.

"Just ask yourself as you prepare, 'What can I ask them that they don’t already have an answer to?'" – Evan Davis