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The Prime Ministers

BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson explores how Britain's prime ministers have used their power, responded to the challenges of their time and made the job what it is today

Radio 4,16 episodes

Episodes

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Series 2
William Pitt the Younger
Nick Robinson looks at how William Pitt the Younger handled the top job in politics.
15 mins
Series 2
Earl Grey
Nick Robinson looks at how Earl Grey handled the top job in British politics.
19 Apr 2011,15 mins
Series 2
William Gladstone
Nick Robinson looks at how William Gladstone handled the top job in politics.
26 Apr 2011,15 mins
Series 2
Herbert Asquith
Nick Robinson looks at how Asquith handled the top job in politics.
03 May 2011,15 mins
Series 2
Ramsay MacDonald
Nick Robinson looks at how Ramsay MacDonald handled the top job in British politics.
10 May 2011,15 mins
Series 2
Harold Macmillan
Nick Robinson looks at how Harold Macmillan handled the top job in British politics.
17 May 2011,15 mins
Series 2
Harold Wilson
Nick Robinson looks at how Harold Wilson handled the top job in politics.
24 May 2011,15 mins
Series 2
Edward Heath
Nick Robinson looks at how Edward Heath handled the top job in politics.
31 May 2011,15 mins
Series 1
Sir Robert Walpole
Sir Robert Walpole, the first and longest-serving prime minister.
24 Feb 2009,15 mins
Series 1
Lord North
Nick asks if history has been fair to Lord North, the prime minister who lost America.
03 Mar 2009,15 mins
Series 1
Sir Robert Peel
Sir Robert Peel, who put the national interest before party interest.
10 Mar 2009,15 mins
Series 1
Lord Palmerston
Lord Palmerston, whose colourful private life masked his skill at manipulating the press.
17 Mar 2009,15 mins
Series 1
Benjamin Disraeli
Benjamin Disraeli, who turned his skills as a novelist to politics.
24 Mar 2009,15 mins
Series 1
David Lloyd George
David Lloyd George, who led Britain in the First World War with a presidential approach.
31 Mar 2009,15 mins
Series 1
Stanley Baldwin
Stanley Baldwin led Britain between the wars and was the first premier to master radio.
07 Apr 2009,15 mins
Series 1
Clement Attlee
Clement Attlee's lack of charisma did not prevent him transforming post war Britain.
14 Apr 2009,15 mins