“Democratic government is difficult. It is much more difficult than populists claim. It's not like running a business or a police force. It demands compromise.”

Scottish journalist, television presenter and author, born 1953

Gavin Esler is a Scottish journalist, television presenter and author. Born in 1953, he is best known for presenting BBC Two’s political analysis programme Newsnight from 2003 to 2014, and for hosting BBC News at Five on the BBC News Channel. He later served as Chancellor of the University of Kent from 2014 to 2023. In 2017 he said he was leaving the BBC to focus on writing, then returned later that year as host of Talking Books. His work is closely tied to politics, public affairs and books.