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Start the Week

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Weekly discussion programme, setting the cultural agenda every Monday

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Andrew Marr

Robert Harris

Margaret Hodge

John Armitt

Philip Webster

Start the Week: Political Drama: Robert Harris and Margaret Hodge

Political Drama: Robert Harris and Margaret Hodge

19/09/2016

BBC Radio 4 - Start the Week, Political Drama: Robert Harris and Margaret Hodge

Andrew Marr with Robert Harris, Margaret Hodge, John Armitt and Philip Webster.

Andrew Marr discusses political mistakes and intrigue with novelist Robert Harris, MP Margaret Hodge, political journalist Philip Webster and engineer Sir John Armitt.

On Start the Week Andrew Marr talks to the MP Margaret Hodge who challenged multinational companies to explain their tax affairs and shone a light on the billions wasted by government every year. The former Chair of the Public Accounts Committee argues that it's time Ministers and Civil Servants learnt from their mistakes. Sir John Armitt masterminded the successful delivery of the 2012 London Olympics and explains why big projects are notorious for budget overspends. MPs will have to decide soon on a multi-billion pound proposal to renovate the Palace of Westminster which would involve them moving out for several years: the political journalist Philip Webster reflects on working in the House of Commons for four decades and how the building influences the business of politics. The best-selling novels of Robert Harris reveal the machinations behind the closed doors of those in power, or seeking it - from Ancient Rome to New Labour. His latest book centres on the intrigue in the corridors of the world's smallest state, the Vatican, as they vote for the next Pope.

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Political Drama: Robert Harris and Margaret Hodge

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