The Ladder

Cathy Newman was due to speak during the Hexham Book Festival, but could not come because she had lost her voice.

Tonight was the rescheduled event. No one could have known that this would clash with the England match, or with a hastily called election.

She was excellent. I often hear her programme The Ladder on Times Radio and admire the way she interviews the subjects. Tonight she talked about how the idea came about. Times Radio offered her a programme on Friday afternoons with half and hour free to choose what she wanted to discuss.

The interviewer was very good too and we learned a lot in an hour.

No one mentioned the score (and I have yet to see what it was). The election was mentioned in questions. She is extremely good at answering without any bias. What a pro!