S1. E7. Lord Michael Heseltine: The best prime minister we never had

The Downtown Den Podcast

A political giant for more than five decades, the man who many believe to be ‘the best Prime Minister we never had’, Lord Michael Heseltine, joined DIB boss Frank McKenna in the Downtown Den this week.

‘Hezza’, also affectionately referred to as ‘Tarzan’ by Tory activists in the 1970s and 80s, has been at the forefront of public life since 1979 when he was given his first cabinet role by Margaret Thatcher as the Secretary of State for the Environment. He has also served as the Minister for Defence, the Minister for Trade & Industry, and Deputy Prime Minister.

A staunch advocate of the UK remaining in the European Union, Lord Heseltine is President of the European Movement.

Despite a general antagonism towards Conservative leaders and politicians, the city of Liverpool have made Heseltine an ‘adopted Scouser’, following his pivotal role in helping to regenerate the city in the early Eighties, when he was given the title ‘Minister for Merseyside’. He was made a Freeman of Liverpool in 2012 and he is still a regular visitor to the city.

In this wide-ranging conversation, the successful entrepreneur and politician discusses his role in Liverpool’s renaissance; his frustrations with Brexit; his time in government; and his vision for the future.

In this fascinating discussion, Lord Heseltine chats to Frank about:

• His role in the urban regeneration of Liverpool
• Devolution
• The overdominance of London
• Levelling Up
• Brexit and re-establishing EU relations
• His impressive political career
• Highs and lows of governments over the years
• Local government reorganisation
• His favourite Prime Minister

The European Movement https://www.europeanmovement.co.uk

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