BBC Radio 4 LW

Desert Island Discs

Castaway guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Desert Island Discs: Dame Shirley Porter

28/04/1991

Dame Shirley Porter

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Dame Shirley Porter

Sue Lawley's castaway is former leader of Westminster City Council Dame Shirley Porter

Sue Lawley's castaway is former leader of Westminster City Council Dame Shirley Porter.

The castaway on Desert Island Discs this week is Dame Shirley Porter, who, as Lady Porter, was the flamboyant leader of the ruling Conservative Group at Westminster City Council - a post she held from 1983 until she stepped down in April 1991. She'll be telling Sue Lawley about what it was that made her go into politics at the age of 40, about her campaign for cleanliness on the streets of the capital and about her plans for the future.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] 

Favourite track: The Ode To Joy (Symphony No 9) by Ludwig van Beethoven
Book: SAS Survival Manual
Luxury: Large Swiss Army knife

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics from 1946 – 2004.

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics, as broadcast on BBC Radio 4 from 1946 – 2004.

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics. Over 900 programmes, as broadcast from 1946 – 2004.

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke: May Day protest in Moscow

May Day protest in Moscow

BBC Radio 4 - Letter from America by Alistair Cooke, May Day protest in Moscow

The 1991 May Day parade in Moscow is discussed with UN Soviet Ambassador Andrei Gromyko.

A May Day parade in Moscow gives Alistair Cooke a curious topic to discuss with UN Soviet Ambassador Andrei Gromyko before  considering cummunists in America.

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