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Rt Hon Theresa May

Kirsty Young talks to the home secretary, Rt Hon Theresa May MP.

Kirsty Young's castaway is the Right Honourable Theresa May MP - the longest serving ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Secretary in fifty years.

For those who think her political lineage seems directly descended from the Iron Lady, Theresa May's metal has certainly been stress-tested in the past few weeks. She's apologised twice in parliament for having failed to appoint a suitable head to lead the historical child abuse inquiry; a minister in her department resigned, claiming working with her had been like "walking through mud". Then there has been the controversy over the non-vote on the European Arrest Warrant and finally news this week that 1 in 5 crimes are unrecorded.

Just as well that she has a reputation as a woman who knows her own mind and is willing to speak it. She famously said the Conservatives were perceived as the 'nasty party'. Her excoriating speech to the Police Federation dealt head on with long-term corruption and incompetence in their ranks and was received with stunned silence.

So unflinching, resilient, driven and, if a recent poll is to be believed, a popular choice among Conservative voters to be the next Prime Minister. She has, so far, remained tight-lipped on any ambition to lead her party.

She says, "I think you have to believe in what you're doing - that's key. If you do believe you are doing the right thing - that gives you resilience".

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 28 Nov 2014 09:00
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Clips

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Music Played

  • Original Broadway Production of the Jersey Boys

    Walk Like a Man

    • Jersey Boys Β– original Broadway cast.
    • RHINO.

  • Capella Gregoriana

    The Pange Lingua Gloriosi Corporis Mysterium

    • Gregorian Chants.
    • Cobra Entertainment.

  • Edward Elgar

    Cello Concerto in E Minor - opening

    Performer: Yo‐Yo Ma.
    • Cello Concertos.
    • Sony Classical.

  • ABBA

    Dancing Queen

    • Abba: Number Ones.
    • Polar.

  • The Rondo from the Abdelazer Suite

    • Music by Britten, Holst and Purcell.
    • EMI.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    The Queen of the Night aria from Mozart's Magic Flute

    Performer: Cheryl Studer. Performer: Academy of St Martin in the Fields. Performer: Neville Marriner.
    • Arias by Mozart.
    • Philips.

  • Paul Eddington & Derek Fowlds

    Yes Minister The Compassionate Society (1981)

    • Yes Minister.
    • ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ.

  • Isaac Watts sung to the tune of Rockingham

    When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

    Performer: Wesley Chapel Congregation.
    • Your Favourite hymns and Songs of Inspiration.
    • Pulse.

  • Book Choice

    • Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

  • Luxury Item

    • A lifetime subscription to Vogue

Credits

Presenter Kirsty Young
Interviewed Guest Theresa May
Producer Cathy Drysdale

Broadcasts

  • Sun 23 Nov 2014 11:15
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 28 Nov 2014 09:00
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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