Woman's Hour - 22/12/2008

Presented by Jane Garvey. Judith Kerr, author of many children's books, joins Jane to talk about her life and work. Monday Panel: Jane is joined by the Rev Angela Tilby, stylist Nicky Hambleton-Jones and columnist Peter Hitchens. They discuss whether the economic crisis has made people turn to God; whether this will be our last extravagant Christmas and, as a photo is released of Barack Obama taking a long drag on a cigarette, we ask our panellists if they are struggling to kick a habit and whether self-denial is ever a healthy mechanism. How would the Conservatives' balance preventing domestic and sexual violence with tackling offences in the criminal justice system? Jane is joined by David Cameron, Leader of the Conservative Party. Corinne Julius saw some of the diamonds once belonging to Catherine the Great when she met Beatriz Chadour Sampson, consultant curator of the new Jewellery Gallery at the V&A. Plus drama: Old Peter's Russian Tales.