The Prime Ministers cover art

The Prime Ministers

Reflections on Leadership from Wilson to May

 Preview
Get this deal Try Premium Plus free
Offer ends December 16, 2025 11:59pm GMT.
Prime members: New to Audible? Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Just £0.99/mo for your first 3 months of Audible.
1 bestseller or new release per month—yours to keep.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, podcasts, and Originals.
Auto-renews at £8.99/mo after 3 months. Cancel monthly.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
£8.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically.

The Prime Ministers

By: Steve Richards
Narrated by: Steve Richards
Get this deal Try Premium Plus free

£8.99/mo after 3 months. Cancel monthly. Offer ends December 16, 2025 11:59pm GMT.

£8.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Buy Now for £15.99

Buy Now for £15.99

Only £0.99 a month for the first 3 months. Pay £0.99 for the first 3 months, and £8.99/month thereafter. Renews automatically. Terms apply. Start my membership

About this listen

A landmark history of the men and women who have defined the UK's role in the modern world - and what makes them special - by a seasoned political journalist.

At a time of unprecedented political upheaval, this magisterial history explains who leads us and why. From Harold Wilson to Theresa May, it brilliantly brings to life all nine inhabitants of 10 Downing Street over the past 50 years, vividly outlining their successes and failures - and what made each of them special. Based on unprecedented access and in-depth interviews, and inspired by the author's BBC Radio 4 and television series, Steve Richards expertly examines the men and women who have defined the UK's role in the modern world and sheds new light on the demands of the highest public office in the land.

©2019 Steve Richards (P)2019 Audible, Ltd Europe Great Britain Leadership Management & Leadership Political Science Politics & Government World Business Thought-Provoking United Kingdom Socialism

Listeners also enjoyed...

 Turning Points cover art
The Presidents cover art
Blue Murder cover art
This Sovereign Isle cover art
State of Emergency cover art
A War of Empires cover art
Inside Story: Politics, Intrigue and Treachery from Thatcher to Brexit cover art
All Out War: The Full Story of How Brexit Sank Britain's Political Class cover art
The Prime Ministers cover art
The Grand Tour: A Journey Through British Politics cover art
The Abuse of Power cover art
A Sense of Balance cover art
Liberal History cover art
The Fall of Boris Johnson cover art
Women of Westminster cover art
The Ordinary Presidency of Donald J. Trump cover art
All stars
Most relevant
This is a fascinating listen. The book is from the left but don't let that put you off. The analysis is sharp and well delivered and gives a by and large fair assessment of the leaders. I fundamentally disagree with only one assessment (Heath) but disagreeing does not mean that it's a bad listen.
If you have even a passing interest in British PM's or leadership in general, this is an invaluable starting point.
I would only have two criticisms. Mr Richards insistence on "doing the voices" gets very tedious very quickly and not every downfall of incident is "Shakespearean.
But these are minor points in a fascinating book.

Excellent if a little "written from the left".

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A very good assessment of each PM from Wilson to May, written and narrated by a man who knows his onions. Very enjoyable and informative, without slipping into tired or clichéd judgements that too many commentators fall foul of. Recommended.

Excellent Shakespearean appraisal of modern PMs

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Enlightening to the whys and wherefores of the reasons for success and failure describing in detail all the human weaknesses and strengths.

Well researched

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I enjoyed this audiobook very much and would reccommend it to anyone with an interest in the men and women who have served as PM in the modern era. The author has had dealings with more than a few of the individuals in this book and yet you are not treated to either excessive praise or condemnation. This is a work based on fair minded and honest observations as best as I can tell.

I feel I have gained a better insight into how political culture of our country is shaped and how a certain approach to leadership may succeed or fail. Fascinating to learn how a particular skill set or style can make and then undo a politicians time in Downing Street

An enlightening and insightful audiook

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
worth listening to

but would not highly rate it but definitely interesting and informative to understand and how things have both remain the same and changed

worth listening to

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews