Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
Labour leader and youngest ever elected leader of his party, who defeated his brother in a leadership contest.
On the island
Eight records
One of the formative experiences I had in my childhood was meeting a woman called Ruth First, and she was an extraordinarily charismatic woman. And a few months later, she was killed by a letter bomb sent by the South African secret police. And anybody having that experience as a child either runs a mile from politics or they think, gosh, this really, really matters.
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, conducted by Carl Davis
It's obviously about England's green and pleasant land, and … being the son of refugees … my parents loved this country. … And Justine is a great walker. I I'm a bit of a moaner when it comes to to walking, but she loves walking in England's green and pleasant land. So it'll remind me of her, it'll remind me of my parents, and and it's a great hymn.
And this is uh about my dad. It's the ballad of Joe Hill and it's sung absolutely beautifully by Paul Robeson. He had a brilliant voice and he used to sing, and he used to love, love Paul Robeson.
Magne Furuholmen, Morten Harket, Pål Waaktaar
Okay, this is a cheesy choice. … Maybe it's because I remember going to the school disco and I'm sure this was playing and wearing an extremely bad pair of white trousers and a purple jumper and it's no wonder I didn't pull given that.
I am a huge fan of the Boston Red Sox baseball team. … And I suppose it prepares you being a Boston Red Sox fan for being a sort of progressive politician because you have disappointment. But hopefully it comes good in the end. And in the bottom of the eighth inning, which is just before the end of the game, they're always playing a Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond.
AngelsFavourite
It's a song for Justine, my wife. From the first time I met her I knew there was something very special about her. And when we were falling in love we were at Live Eight and Robbie Williams did an amazing, amazing performance of Angels.
The seventh record is by an American singer called Josh Ritter, Change of Time. And when Justine and I were going out with each other, before we had kids, we had a great holiday in America and we got into Josh Ritter. And this is a song which got a kind of a well not exactly seaside, but but maybe a desert island relevance.
Again, it's a song that my parents used to play. And one of my regrets is that both of my parents were French speakers, but my French is awful. So we are trying to sort of put it right with the next generation. So my mum comes round and tries to help teach the kids French. And this is the I went through my dad's record collection and this is a recording from 1960 from a concert in Paris.
In conversation
Presenter asks
1:22What do you think the most difficult aspect of [being leader of the opposition] is?
I tell you what I think is the most difficult part actually, reflecting on it. I think it's the twenty-four-seven nature of the job. It's about the fact that I've got two small children, Daniel and Sam. And they're getting to the stage where they know if Dad's around or not.
Presenter asks
2:16In your [2010 conference] speech, you put your family front and centre. With hindsight, do you think that was a smart thing to do?
Absolutely. Because you can't understand me without understanding where I come from. Now, you know, my dad had a particular political outlook. It's not the same as mine, but it's a big part of what inspired me. And and and in y anyway, in in modern politics, who you are, who your family is, it's always going to be relevant and and important to people. So I think it sort of comes with the territory.
Presenter asks
7:27To what extent do you feel you're compromised by your relationship, your close relationship with the unions?
I don't feel that, and it's important to remember that it was the votes of individual trade union members. That were part of me winning the election. working men and women. I'm proud to have them affiliated to the Labour Party. And I'm embarked on a massive reform of the Labour Party. I think we can be a much bigger party, but only if we find a way of having an individual relationship with those men and women.
The keepsakes
The book
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Douglas Adams
I have decided to go for Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. I think it's famously said to be a trilogy and I think it's in four or five parts. And one of I think the final book or the penultimate book is So Long and Thanks for All the Fish. So I think uh you know, what better choice?
The luxury
An Indian takeaway delivered once a week
I'm gonna opt and I hope you'll allow it for a takeaway an Indian takeaway once a week from my local Indian restaurant and so if you'll allow me a delivery once a week.
Presenter asks
8:37Why are you not having an open inquiry on Falkirk?
Well we've done an inquiry. … And what's really important to say this, Kirsty. We've taken the strongest action in that constituency and we're determined to uphold the good name of the Labour Party. … So I honestly say to you, we've acted really thoroughly to uphold the integrity of the party. And as I say, we're now embarked on this major reform of our party precisely to learn lessons and change that relationship.
Presenter asks
24:36Did you underestimate the impact [of standing against your brother David for the leadership]?
Possibly. Possibly. Look look what I thought was This is going to be hard, but I've got things to say and things to do which I am in a better place than him or others to say and do about the way we need to move on from New Labour, things that need to happen in the country. … I thought you have to in the end do the what you think is the right thing, but it's but it but it's hard.
Presenter asks
26:34How often do you talk now? How close are you now [with David]?
We do talk and I saw him two weeks ago and he was back from New York and But we discussed this thing about him serving in the shadow cabinet or not, you know, on and off over a period. And in the end he said to me, look, I want to lead an organization. That's what I feel I need the freedom to do in my own way. And he's leading the IRC and a refugee organization. And he seems incredibly exhilarated by doing it.
“We live in a capitalist society. My dad thought you could abolish capitalism. I don't. But I think it throws up fundamental injustices. And what motivates me as a politician is you see injustice and you seek to do something about it.”
“I remember driving to the um hospital. And I think it's the only time in my life that I've ever prayed. Um I I'm not a religious person, but I remember saying, If there's a God, you please don't let this happen. And then he he he died and um I've said he was a lodestar. I didn't agree with everything he said, but a point of reference. But he was also an em you know, he's my father, so it's you know, look, it's the worst thing that's ever happened to me in my life.”
“You regret the things you don't do, not the things you do do, and that's that's the way I think about it.”