Forget Wes, this is who we really need as PM

Forget Wes, this is who we really need as PM

From Quite right! by The Spectator

May 14, 2026 · 24 min

About this episode

The episode discusses which former prime minister could best lead the UK today and debates the implications of Brexit and potential EU rejoining.

In this week’s Q&A: as Wes Streeting finally breaks cover, which former prime minister would you parachute into No. 10 to save the country? Michael makes the case for Palmerstonian vigour, while Maddie weighs up Lord Salisbury and Pitt the Younger – and asks whether almost any past occupant of Downing Street would be preferable to the current one. Also this week: is Britain being dragged back towards the EU? After Nick Clegg suggested Britain should rejoin a reformed European Union by 2036, Michael and Maddie ask whether the Brexit question is really settled – and whether Keir Starmer is trying to realign with Brussels by stealth. Plus: Jilly Cooper and the brilliance of Tory-coded fiction. Produced by Oscar Edmondson. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more. For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts . Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Hosts: Michael, Maddie

Topics covered

  • political leadership
  • Brexit
  • European Union
  • historical prime ministers
  • Tory fiction
  • current government

Keywords

  • Wes Streeting
  • prime minister
  • Brexit
  • European Union
  • Nick Clegg
  • Keir Starmer
  • Tory fiction
  • historical leaders

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: European Union

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