No.10's honorary historian tells the story of the post of the British PM and why it has endured longer than any other democratic political office in world history. What makes for a successful premiership? Has the job become impossible and can it be improved? Marking the third centenary of the office of Prime Minister, the book explores the lives and careers, loves and scandals, successes and failures of our Prime Ministers. From Robert Walpole and William Pitt the Younger, to Clement Attlee and Margaret Thatcher, Seldon discusses which of our Prime Ministers have been most effective and why, and how the increasing power of the PM coincided with the steadily falling influence of the Monarchy. He talks to broadcaster James Naughtie, author of On the Road: Adventures from Nixon to Trump.

Part of the Festival’s PM300 series marking 300 years since the UK’s first Prime Minister, with conversations on leadership and the future of democracy.