Today - 08/09/2008

Presented by John Humphrys and Edward Stourton. Edward Stourton reports from Bath, where 16 years ago the Liberal Democrats had a surprising election victory. Home Office minister Vernon Coaker explains a pilot scheme which will allow parents to check whether those working closely with their children have a record of paedophilia. Dr Lee Rayfield, Bishop of Swindon, responds to claims that the Church of England will apologise to Charles Darwin. Tim Franks reports on the return of former childhood concert pianist Elisha Abas. Thought For The Day with Professor Mona Siddiqui of the University of Glasgow. Vince Cable explains how the news about financial markets will affect Lib Dem spending plans. Jon Moulton of Alchemy Partners and Terry Smith of Tullett Prebon discuss the demise of Lehman Brothers, one of the world's largest investment banks. Peter Biles reports on the power-sharing deal that has been agreed between Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe and the MDC. Mark Littlewood, of pressure group Liberal Vision, and Lib Dem spokesman Evan Harris discuss proposals for tax cuts by the Liberal Democrats. Mathew Prichard, Agatha Christie's grandson, and Laura Thompson, author of Christie: An English Mystery, discuss the importance the discovery of 13 hours of Agatha Christie recordings. Nick Pelling and Dr Sven Dupre discuss the invention of the telescope. Elie Wiesel, Nobel Prize winner and survivor of two German concentration camps, discusses the importance of educating future generations about the Holocaust.