The Prime Ministers

Nick Robinson

A series about some of the politicians who've made it to the top of the greasy pole.

The BBC's political editor, Nick Robinson, examines how, over three centuries, the occupants of Ten Downing Street have used - and misused - political power.

In part one, the story of Sir Robert Walpole , the very first PM.

The second part tells the story of Frederick North , a politician who doubted whether he was good enough for the top job.

By part three, we reach the 19th Century and the creation of Britain's first modern political party, the Conservatives. The man responsible was Sir Robert Peel . As Nick explains, having built the party, he then took a course of action which tore it apart.

In part four. Nick Robinson tells us why so many people in mid-Victorian Britain loved Lord Cupid, Viscount Palmerston . Yet despite his image as a loveable old rogue, Palmerston was a serious politician ever willing to sustain a heavy workload.

The fifth part looks at the remarkable rise of Benjamin Disraeli , one of the greatest parliamentarians and a man much admired by the current Conservative leader.

By part six, we've reached the 20th Century and Lloyd George , a self styled 'child of the people' who took on the powerful landed classes of Edwardian Britain.

Part seven - Stanley Baldwin ! Baldwin was the first occupant of 10 Downing Street to exploit successfully the new age of broadcasting.

In the final part, Nick Robinson looks back at the career of Clement Attlee . He may have lacked charisma but few Prime Ministers changed Britain as much as he did.