Reporting politics in turbulent times

Ben Wright is a BBC political correspondent and Radio 4 presenter. He grew up in Bournville. After King Edward VI Five Ways school and Oxford University, Ben joined the BBC, covering UK politics on radio and TV for twenty years, while reporting also from the USA.

He has interviewed the last eight Prime Ministers, covered several general elections and now presents Radio 4’s Westminster Hour, PM and Any Questions.

Ben’s book, “Order, Order! The rise and fall of political drinking”, is full of anecdotes about politicians and alcohol!

A dizzying decade from Brexit to the revolt against Sir Keir Starmer, Westminster has been in turmoil.

The two-party system of old seems to be fracturing; trust in politics is fallin; many of Britain’s challenges appear too stubborn to solve.

Ben talks about what it’s like to be reporting politics for the BBC when the media itself is going through its own upheaval. Polarisation, disinformation, social media domination with many switching off the news altogether.

BBC’s Ben Wright gives us a behind the scenes insight into life as political correspondent at Westminster and the challenges of reporting politics today.

This event takes place at Bournville Quaker Meeting House, 65 Linden Rd, Birmingham B30 1JT

Train - Bournville Station (10 minutes walk)

Buses - 11 and 27 at Bournville Village Green

Onstreet car parking is close by

Description supplied by the event organiser.