Alastair Campbell joins Christopher Hope to talk about most people's worst nightmare: the publication of his diaries. He begrudgingly takes some of the responsibility for the rise of Boris Johnson, reflects on Labour's first 'year of Keir' and gives Chris a signature telling off.

Also on the show: Chris looks ahead to the May elections and catches up with Mayor for the West Midlands Andy Street, to talk about why you shouldn't ask if Birmingham is a commuter town, and to settle the great debate: do the Midlands lie in the South or North of England? And, making a return to politics after twenty-four years, Edwina Currie tells us how she was inspired by the plethora of septuagenarian politicians across the pond.

Alastair Campbell Diaries: Volume 8, Rise and Fall of the Olympic Spirit, 2010–2015: https://www.bitebackpublishing.com/books/alastair-campbell-diaries-volume-8 |

Take part in our podcast survey for the chance to win one of three £100 John Lewis vouchers: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/choppers_politics_survey |

For 30 days' free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/chopper |

Listen to Planet Normal: https://www.playpodca.st/planetnormal |

Email: chopperspolitics@telegraph.co.uk |

Twitter: @chopperspodcast |

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.