A thermoplastic composition, comprising: 20 to 44 weight percent of a poly(arylene ether); 29 to 57 weight percent of total polyolefin; wherein total polyolefin consists of polyolefins and the polyolefin content of block copolymers comprising a poly(alkenyl aromatic) block and a polyolefin block; and wherein the total polyolefin comprises polypropylene, polybutene, ethylene-propylene copolymer, a poly(ethylene-co-propylene) block of a block copolymer comprising a polystyrene block and a poly(ethylene-co-propylene) block, and a poly(ethylene-co-butylene) block of a block copolymer comprising a polystyrene block and a poly(ethylene-co-butylene) block; and 10 to 25 weight percent of a flame retardant composition comprising 1 to 10 weight percent of metal dialkyl phosphinate, 1 to 17 weight percent of a nitrogen-containing flame retardant selected from the group consisting of melamine phosphate, melamine pyrophosphate, melamine polyphosphates, and mixtures thereof, and 1 to 10 weight percent of a triaryl phosphate that is a liquid at one atmosphere and at least one temperature in the range 25 to 50°C; wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition; wherein the poly(arylene ether) and total polyolefin are present in a weight ratio of 0.53:1 to 1.2:1; and wherein a test sample coated wire exhibits a tensile stress at break of at least 10 megapascals, measured at 23°C according to UL 1581, Section 470, a tensile elongation at break of at least 100 percent, measured at 23°C according to UL 1581, Section 470, and a passing flame test rating according to UL 1581, Section 1080, wherein the test sample coated wire consists of an AWG 24 conductor having a nominal cross sectional area of 0.205 millimeter 2, and a tubular covering comprising the thermoplastic composition and having a nominal outer diameter of 2 millimeters. 20 to 44 weight percent of a poly(arylene ether); 29 to 57 weight percent of total polyolefin; wherein total polyolefin consists of polyolefins and the polyolefin content of block copolymers comprising a poly(alkenyl aromatic) block and a polyolefin block; and wherein the total polyolefin comprises polypropylene, polybutene, ethylene-propylene copolymer, a poly(ethylene-co-propylene) block of a block copolymer comprising a polystyrene block and a poly(ethylene-co-propylene) block, and a poly(ethylene-co-butylene) block of a block copolymer comprising a polystyrene block and a poly(ethylene-co-butylene) block; and 10 to 25 weight percent of a flame retardant composition comprising 1 to 10 weight percent of metal dialkyl phosphinate, 1 to 17 weight percent of a nitrogen-containing flame retardant selected from the group consisting of melamine phosphate, melamine pyrophosphate, melamine polyphosphates, and mixtures thereof, and 1 to 10 weight percent of a triaryl phosphate that is a liquid at one atmosphere and at least one temperature in the range 25 to 50°C; wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition; wherein the poly(arylene ether) and total polyolefin are present in a weight ratio of 0.53:1 to 1.2:1; and wherein a test sample coated wire exhibits a tensile stress at break of at least 10 megapascals, measured at 23°C according to UL 1581, Section 470, a tensile elongation at break of at least 100 percent, measured at 23°C according to UL 1581, Section 470, and a passing flame test rating according to UL 1581, Section 1080, wherein the test sample coated wire consists of an AWG 24 conductor having a nominal cross sectional area of 0.205 millimeter 2, and a tubular covering comprising the thermoplastic composition and having a nominal outer diameter of 2 millimeters.