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01012018010820180110 (R4)The political columnist and broadcaster Steve Richards presents a major series looking back on David Cameron's dramatic years in power, through interviews with high-profile insiders. How did Mr Cameron go from promising not to 'bang on about Europe' to being brought down by it? What is the significance of Brexit in his overall record and legacy? We look back on the other seismic events of his leadership - the first peacetime coalition government in nearly a century, the stewardship of the economy in the aftermath of a massive financial crash, the narrowly avoided constitutional crisis of the Scotland independence referendum, the 2015 general election victory against the odds.

We examine how far David Cameron succeeded with his self-proclaimed mission to modernise the Conservative party and its thinking. And we explore the legacy of his politics and leadership for the struggles Theresa May's government is grappling with today.

Part One explores the European issue which overwhelmed the Cameron years and continues to engulf British politics, describing the dramatic journey which led up to the 2016 referendum and Britain's exit from the European Union. We explore Cameron's own views about the European Union and uncover new insights and stories about key moments, such as Cameron's arduous and ultimately doomed attempt to renegotiate Britain's relationship with Europe.

Interviewees in the series overall include major players in the Cameron story, both friends and critics, including Craig Oliver, Oliver Letwin, Nicky Morgan, George Eustice, Nick Boles, Ed Vaizey, Camilla Cavendish, Gabby Bertin, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Iain Duncan Smith, Ken Clarke, Nigel Farage, David Blunkett and Vince Cable.

Producer: Leala Padmanabhan

Executive Producer: Martin Rosenbaum.

Steve Richards looks back on David Cameron's years in power and explores his legacy.

010220180115The political columnist and commentator Steve Richards presents a major series looking back on David Cameron's dramatic years in power, through interviews with high-profile insiders. How did Mr Cameron go from promising not to "bang on about Europe" to being brought down by it? What is the significance of Brexit in his overall record and legacy? We look back on the other seismic events of his leadership - the first peacetime coalition government in nearly a century, the stewardship of the economy in the aftermath of a massive financial crash, the narrowly avoided constitutional crisis of the Scotland independence referendum, the 2015 general election victory against the odds.

Part Two focuses on David Cameron's mission to modernise and transform the Conservative party and its thinking, exploring ideas such as the Big Society, the major shake-up of education and health policy, social reforms such as same-sex marriage and the ambition to make the party more environmentally conscious. We examine the impact of the financial crisis and "austerity" on the Cameron governments. We ask whether there is such a thing as "Cameronism" and we assess the success of David Cameron's mission to make the Conservatives more diverse and representative of modern Britain.

Interviewees in the series include Craig Oliver, Oliver Letwin, Nicky Morgan, George Eustice, Nick Boles, Ed Vaizey, Camilla Cavendish, Gabby Bertin, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Ken Clarke, Nigel Farage, David Blunkett and Vince Cable.

Producer: Leala Padmanabhan
Executive Producer: Martin Rosenbaum.

Steve Richards looks back on David Cameron's years in power and explores his legacy.

01022018011520180117 (R4)The political columnist and commentator Steve Richards presents a major series looking back on David Cameron's dramatic years in power, through interviews with high-profile insiders. How did Mr Cameron go from promising not to "bang on about Europe" to being brought down by it? What is the significance of Brexit in his overall record and legacy? We look back on the other seismic events of his leadership - the first peacetime coalition government in nearly a century, the stewardship of the economy in the aftermath of a massive financial crash, the narrowly avoided constitutional crisis of the Scotland independence referendum, the 2015 general election victory against the odds.

Part Two focuses on David Cameron's mission to modernise and transform the Conservative party and its thinking, exploring ideas such as the Big Society, the major shake-up of education and health policy, social reforms such as same-sex marriage and the ambition to make the party more environmentally conscious. We examine the impact of the financial crisis and "austerity" on the Cameron governments. We ask whether there is such a thing as "Cameronism" and we assess the success of David Cameron's mission to make the Conservatives more diverse and representative of modern Britain.

Interviewees in the series include Craig Oliver, Oliver Letwin, Nicky Morgan, George Eustice, Nick Boles, Ed Vaizey, Camilla Cavendish, Gabby Bertin, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Ken Clarke, Nigel Farage, David Blunkett and Vince Cable.

Producer: Leala Padmanabhan
Executive Producer: Martin Rosenbaum.

Steve Richards looks back on David Cameron's years in power and explores his legacy.

010320180122The political columnist and broadcaster Steve Richards presents a major series looking back on David Cameron's dramatic years in power, through interviews with high-profile insiders. How did Mr Cameron go from promising not to "bang on about Europe" to being brought down by it? What is the significance of Brexit in his overall record and legacy? We look back on the other seismic events of his leadership - the first peacetime coalition government in nearly a century, the stewardship of the economy in the aftermath of a financial crash, the Scotland independence referendum, the 2015 general election victory against the odds.

In this final part, we explore the record of the coalition years, comparing David Cameron's approach with that of the current Prime Minister, Theresa May, also governing in a hung parliament. We examine other key aspects of the Cameron era such as his relationship with the media - the Murdoch press in particular - and his handling of the Scottish referendum on independence.

The programme then returns to the issue of Europe, tracing the bitter personal and political struggles that emerged during the referendum campaign, and recalling David Cameron's dramatic final days in office.

We conclude with an overall assessment of David Cameron's likely place in history and with reflections on the relevant lessons from the Cameron era for our understanding of the turbulent politics of today.

This programme introduces an interview with Gabby Bertin, Cameron's key media adviser for over a decade. Other contributors in the series include Craig Oliver, Oliver Letwin, Nicky Morgan, George Eustice, Nick Boles, Ed Vaizey, Camilla Cavendish, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Ken Clarke, Nigel Farage, David Blunkett and Vince Cable.

Producer: Leala Padmanabhan.

Steve Richards looks back at David Cameron's years in power and explores his legacy.

Steve Richards looks back on David Cameron's years in power and explores his legacy.

01032018012220180124 (R4)The political columnist and broadcaster Steve Richards presents a major series looking back on David Cameron's dramatic years in power, through interviews with high-profile insiders. How did Mr Cameron go from promising not to "bang on about Europe" to being brought down by it? What is the significance of Brexit in his overall record and legacy? We look back on the other seismic events of his leadership - the first peacetime coalition government in nearly a century, the stewardship of the economy in the aftermath of a financial crash, the Scotland independence referendum, the 2015 general election victory against the odds.

In this final part, we explore the record of the coalition years, comparing David Cameron's approach with that of the current Prime Minister, Theresa May, also governing in a hung parliament. We examine other key aspects of the Cameron era such as his relationship with the media - the Murdoch press in particular - and his handling of the Scottish referendum on independence.

The programme then returns to the issue of Europe, tracing the bitter personal and political struggles that emerged during the referendum campaign, and recalling David Cameron's dramatic final days in office.

We conclude with an overall assessment of David Cameron's likely place in history and with reflections on the relevant lessons from the Cameron era for our understanding of the turbulent politics of today.

This programme introduces an interview with Gabby Bertin, Cameron's key media adviser for over a decade. Other contributors in the series include Craig Oliver, Oliver Letwin, Nicky Morgan, George Eustice, Nick Boles, Ed Vaizey, Camilla Cavendish, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Ken Clarke, Nigel Farage, David Blunkett and Vince Cable.

Producer: Leala Padmanabhan.

Steve Richards looks back at David Cameron's years in power and explores his legacy.

Steve Richards looks back on David Cameron's years in power and explores his legacy.