Sir Andrew Mitchell MP in conversation with Roifield Brown

What does it take to rebuild a city, revive a political party and restore Britain's influence in the world?

In this wide-ranging and occasionally combative conversation, Roifield Brown sits down with Sir Andrew Mitchell, Conservative MP for Sutton Coldfield and former International Development Secretary, to examine the challenges facing Birmingham, Britain and the Conservative Party.

Mitchell warns that the world has entered an era of dangerous nationalism, criticises cuts to overseas aid and defends international cooperation. But when challenged over Brexit, he insists that Britain's departure from the European Union must be respected, despite having supported Remain.

The discussion turns to Palestine, the two-state solution and Britain's responsibility to uphold international law, before moving closer to home.

Can Birmingham recover from financial crisis and reputational damage? Has the city been failed by its political leadership? Should Sutton Coldfield have greater control over its own affairs? And can the revival of its town centre offer lessons for the rest of Britain?

Brown challenges Mitchell on the dominance of supermarket chains, the decline of independent high streets, water privatisation, London's economic supremacy and the failures of HS2.

F

inally, Mitchell offers a confident defence of Kemi Badenoch, predicts that Reform UK will fade and explains why he believes the Conservatives will return to government.

A conversation about political power, civic ambition and whether Britain still has the imagination to renew itself.

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