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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: Sir Bernard Ingham

21/05/1995

Sir Bernard Ingham

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Sir Bernard Ingham

Sue Lawley's castaway is former press secretary to Margaret Thatcher, Sir Bernard Ingham

Sue Lawley's castaway is former press secretary to Margaret Thatcher, Sir Bernard Ingham.

Sue Lawley's castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is Sir Bernard Ingham. For 11 years, one month and five days, almost from when she came to power to the day she left office, he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Mrs Thatcher. A former card-carrying member of the Labour Party, he became her Chief Press Secretary, adviser and supporter.

He was accused by the media of crossing the line between civil service impartiality and political support on that fateful day in Paris in November 1990, just 36 hours before she lost the leadership election. He'll be telling Sue Lawley about his childhood in Yorkshire, his training as a journalist on the Hebden Bridge Times, his transition to Press Secretary for Tony Benn, Maurice MacMillan and Barbara Castle. In 1979, no-one was more astonished than he when he was headhunted to become one of Mrs Thatcher's closest advisers, and finally one of the most influential members of her team.

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

Favourite track: Violin Concerto in B Minor - Andante by Edward Elgar
Book: Times Atlas of the World
Luxury: Colin Cowdrey's bowling machine

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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: The White House

The White House

BBC Radio 4 - Letter from America by Alistair Cooke, The White House

A discussion on the closure of Pennsylvania Avenue to the public in 1995.

Great American inventions, Jackie Kennedy's overhaul of the official rooms of the White House, and the closure of Pennsylvania Avenue to the public in 1995.

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