Main content

Sir Bernard Ingham

Sue Lawley's castaway is former press secretary to Margaret Thatcher, Sir Bernard Ingham.

Sue Lawley's castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is Sir Bernard Ingham. For 11 years, one month and five days, almost from when she came to power to the day she left office, he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Mrs Thatcher. A former card-carrying member of the Labour Party, he became her Chief Press Secretary, adviser and supporter.

He was accused by the media of crossing the line between civil service impartiality and political support on that fateful day in Paris in November 1990, just 36 hours before she lost the leadership election. He'll be telling Sue Lawley about his childhood in Yorkshire, his training as a journalist on the Hebden Bridge Times, his transition to Press Secretary for Tony Benn, Maurice MacMillan and Barbara Castle. In 1979, no-one was more astonished than he when he was headhunted to become one of Mrs Thatcher's closest advisers, and finally one of the most influential members of her team.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Violin Concerto in B Minor - Andante by Edward Elgar
Book: Times Atlas of the World
Luxury: Colin Cowdrey's bowling machine

Available now

40 minutes

Last on

Fri 26 May 1995 09:05
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

More episodes

Previous

Neil Simon

Next

Marianne Faithfull

See all episodes from Desert Island Discs

Music Played

  • John Foster, The Black Dyke Mills Band, et al

    Colonel Bogey

    • Famous Marches.
    • Chandos.

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Edward Elgar

      Violin Concerto in B minor - 2nd movement

      Soloist: Nigel Kennedy Orchestra: The London Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Vernon Handley

      • Elgar Violin Concerto - Nigel Kennedy.
      • EMI.

  • George Frideric Handel

    Hallelujah Chorus (from Messiah)

    Soloist: Richard Lewis / Marjorie Thomas / James Milligan / Elsie Morrison Orchestra: The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Choir: The Huddersfield Choral Society

    • Handel Messiah (Highlights).
    • Classics For Pleasure.

  • The Beatles

    Yesterday

    • The Beatles 1962-1966 (The Red Album).
    • Apple.

  • Julio Iglesias

    Spanish Eyes

    Artist: Willie Nelson

    • What A Wonderful World.
    • CBS.

  • Edvard Grieg

    Piano Concerto in A minor - 1st movement

    Soloist: Geza Anda Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Conductor: Rafael Kubelik

    • Grieg: Concerto Opus 16.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.

  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Fantasia On A Theme By Thomas Tallis

    Soloist: Andrew Williams / Ian Rhodes / Mats Lidstrom / B Griggiths Orchestra: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

    • English Celebration.
    • RPO Records.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No. 9 in D minor 'Choral'

    Soloist: Stuart Burrows / Pilar Lorengar / Yvonne Minton / Martti Talvela Orchestra: Chicago Symphony Orchestra

    • Ode To Joy (Choral Classics).
    • Decca.

  • Book Choice

    • Times Atlas of the World

  • Luxury Choice

    • Colin Cowdrey's bowling machine

Credits

Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Sir Bernard Ingham

Broadcasts

  • Sun 21 May 1995 12:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 26 May 1995 09:05
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

Featured in...

The Desert Island Discs podcast

The Desert Island Discs podcast

Subscribe or download individual episodes.

Listen to over 2,000 programmes

Click above to browse castaways, from 1942 to today.

Articles

Read the surprising things we've learned about some stand-out castaways.

Podcast