POLITICIANS Nick Clegg and Sir Malcolm Rifkind are among the highlights of this Winchester Speakers Festival, which takes place tomorrow and Sunday.

As Deputy Prime Minister of Britain’s first coalition government in over fifty years, Nick Clegg offers a frank account of his experiences – from his spectacular rise in the 2010 election to a brutal defeat in 2015, from his early years as an MEP in Brussels to the tumultuous fall-out of Britain’s EU referendum.

Sir Malcolm Rifkind's political career has been glittering and long-lived. He served as a Minister for 18 years which is longer uninterrupted service than anyone since Lord Palmerston in the 19th Century. Informed, stimulating and amusing, Rifkind relates his battles with Margaret Thatcher over Scotland, explains how he helped change Polish history during the Cold War, describes his presence at the Gorbachev-Thatcher summit and tells how he served as both Defence Minister and Foreign Secretary during some of the most turbulent years of the late 20th century.

Paul Beaver's presentation Spitfire People: The Men and Women Who Made the Spitfire the Aviation Icon gives a fresh angle on the Spitfire by examining the contribution to its development and achievements by some 65 people - ranging from politicians to pilots.

A whole host of other interesting personalities are also on the line-up.

Visit winchesterspeakersfestival.com or call 0333 666 3366.