Election Notebook by Nick Robinson review – a man bent on beating both cancer and claptrap

The political editor of the BBC tells his remarkable tale – and that of the general election – with incisive observations and amusing anecdotes

It is the most exposed position in political journalism. To be a success as political editor of the BBC, you need the nous to make sound and instant judgments on unfolding events, the skill to communicate complex issues in a way every viewer can grasp, excellent sources, a huge capacity for hard work and a competitive spirit. Also required is skin with enough armour plating to withstand the brickbats that will be lobbed your way when your reporting annoys partisans for one or other of the parties. Nick Robinson, a superb occupant of the post for the past decade, has all these qualities in abundance.

One further thing is vital for the role. A voice. That essential tool of his trade was robbed from him when he was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour on his lung earlier this year and put under the surgeon’s knife.

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