The Economist.

Hello and welcome to the intelligence from The Economist.

I'm your host, Rosie Bloor.

Every weekday, we provide a fresh perspective on the events shaping your world.

Thank you. provide a fresh perspective on the events shaping your world. The number of people executed in America this year is the highest for nearly two decades,

yet support for the death penalty is declining. The surprising surge is partly about politics,

and just one state is responsible for most of the deaths.

And he was one of Britain's most brilliant and challenging writers.

Our correspondent spent more than 20 years translating his works into Russian.

Now he celebrates the life of playwright Tom Stoppard.

When Sarkir Stammer became Britain's Prime Minister last summer, he promised to enact a wide-ranging agenda to address the country's challenges.

Our country has voted decisively for change, for national renewal and a return of politics to public service.

His centre-left Labour government was elected on a large majority,

ejecting the Conservative Party from Downing Street after 14 years in power.

But a year and a half on from Labour's win, Britain is still in bad shape,

and Stama's poll numbers have collapsed. This week, the Economist's editor-in-chief, Zanny

Minton Beddows, interviewed Stama for our new video show, Insider. Also present was Duncan Robinson,

our Britain political editor and Badger columnist.

So Kier Stama doesn't normally say very much in interviews. He's normally extremely cautious

in what he puts on tape. But this time, he really let rip. I want a Labour government. I'm leading

a Labour government. I'm proud of the changed Labour governments bring about.

But if there is a Conservative government, I can sleep at night. If there was a right-wing government in the United Kingdom, that would be a different proposition. Basically, Kirstama foresees a

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