Parliament Matters

It’s Budget week and the Chancellor has announced his plans for taxation and provided a fresh economic forecast. But how does Parliament get to grips – indeed does it get to grips - with the nation’s finances? We talk to Baroness Morgan of Cotes, a Conservative Peer who has been both a Treasury Minister and a scrutineer on the Treasury Committee. Henry Midgley of Durham University – who has worked at both the House of Commons and the National Audit Office – also joins us to discuss how MPs could improve scrutiny of taxation and public spending.There have been more dreadful polls for the Conservatives, some of them projecting a catastrophic result for the party. So, what would the House of Commons look like if the Conservatives got just 20% of the vote at the next general election? Mark and Ruth have some fun speculating on the implications of a lopsided House of Commons in which the opposition parties muster barely 100 seats between them.Paul Scully MP has joined the band of senior Conservative MPs planning to leave at the election. He directed some choice words about the future of his party towards his colleagues and reflected on the brutality of politics and the toll it takes on politicians and their families.The Government lost 10 votes on amendments to the Rwanda Bill at Report Stage in the House of Lords this week. What does the scale of the votes tell us about the future of this Bill? And why are Labour’s tactics on the Bill now in the spotlight?🎓 Access resources about issues mentioned in this episode via our website here: hansardsociety.org.uk/news/parliament-matters-podcast-e20❓ Submit your questions to us on all things Parliament using the form here: hansardsociety.org.uk/pmuq📱 Follow us across social media @HansardSociety✅ Subscribe to our newsletter for all the latest updates related to the Parliament Matters podcast and the wider work of the Hansard Society: hansardsociety.org.uk/nlSupport the Hansard Society by making a donation. We don't have a wealthy founder or an endowment. That's why donations are so important – they help to support our work AND our independence: hansardsociety.org.uk/donateParliament Matters is a Hansard Society production supported by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable TrustProducer: Richard Townsend Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this revealing conversation with Alicia Kearns MP, Chair of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, we explore the critical role of parliamentary scrutiny in shaping foreign policy and addressing global challenges.We discover how recent Committee hearings have garnered global attention and influenced diplomatic discourse in overseas capitals and on the streets, particularly when critical information, such as the bombing of Medical Aid for Palestine, has been revealed.Alicia reflects on the Committee’s priorities and ongoing inquiries, and the need to respond dynamically to pressing global issues such as Ukraine, Russia, the Balkans, China and Taiwan.She sheds light on how the Committee can help change the tone of diplomatic engagement and how it plays a critical information disclosure role. And she updates us on her discussions with the Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron, regarding the frequency of his appearances before the Committee.We explore her role as the Chair of the Committee including her regular interactions with ambassadors, the challenges faced during sensitive inquiries, and why the Foreign Office would rather she and fellow members of the Committee did not travel anywhere! 🎓 Access resources about issues mentioned in this episode via our website here: hansardsociety.org.uk/news/parliament-matters-podcast-e20❓ Submit your questions to us on all things Parliament using the form here: hansardsociety.org.uk/pmuq📱 Follow us across social media @HansardSociety✅ Subscribe to our newsletter for all the latest updates related to the Parliament Matters podcast and the wider work of the Hansard Society: hansardsociety.org.uk/nlSupport the Hansard Society by making a donation. We don't have a wealthy founder or an endowment. That's why donations are so important – they help to support our work AND our independence: hansardsociety.org.uk/donateParliament Matters is a Hansard Society production supported by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable TrustProducer: Richard Townsend Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There was no let up for Mr Speaker as the fall-out continues from last week’s Commons chaos over the Opposition Day debate on Gaza. But is his position now safe? And why has the government pulled a vote on a scheme to exclude MPs accused of sexual harassment or assault from Parliament?Liz Truss MP was interviewed at the Conservative Political Action Conference in America by a man convicted of contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with a subpoena from the Select Committee investigating the January 6th 2021 insurrection in Washington. What is a British parliamentarian – and former Prime Minister – doing consorting with people associated with the overthrow of the American legislature?It is widely recognised that the range and scale of threats facing MPs has escalated in recent years. But what can be done to stop abuse and intimidation in our politics? We talk to Baroness Bertin and Lord Coaker, the co-chairs of the cross-party Jo Cox Civility Commission, about their call to action. 🎓 Access resources about issues mentioned in this episode via our website here: hansardsociety.org.uk/news/parliament-matters-podcast-e20❓ Submit your questions to us on all things Parliament using the form here: hansardsociety.org.uk/pmuq📱 Follow us across social media @HansardSociety✅ Subscribe to our newsletter for all the latest updates related to the Parliament Matters podcast and the wider work of the Hansard Society: hansardsociety.org.uk/nlSupport the Hansard Society by making a donation. We don't have a wealthy founder or an endowment. That's why donations are so important – they help to support our work AND our independence: hansardsociety.org.uk/donateParliament Matters is a Hansard Society production supported by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable TrustClips from the House of Commons via parliamentlive.tvProducer: Richard Townsend Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when a party leader ducks the opportunity to face a long forensic interview on television during a general election campaign? What are the challenges posed to broadcasters when norms are ignored? Boris Johnson famously did that during the last general election: so how will that affect the approach of the parties and the broadcasters when negotiating the terms of future interviews at the next election?Will party leader debates happen this time, or will the negotiations between the broadcasters and the political strategists run aground amidst arguments about the format and the terms of engagement? And if so, will it really matter? Are long-form interviews a better form of scrutiny than a version of Prime Ministers’ Questions in a studio?Mark and Ruth discuss these questions and more with Rob Burley, currently of Sky News, but formerly the editor of live political programmes at the BBC where he was responsible for overseeing output such as Daily Politics, Politics Live, the Andrew Marr Show, the Andrew Neil Show and Brexitcast.They discuss stories from Rob’s book, Why is This Lying Bastard Lying to Me including how the TV companies plan their political packages during an election campaign and how broadcasters like Andrew Marr and Andrew Neil prepare for a major political interview?🎓 Access resources about issues mentioned in this episode via our website here: hansardsociety.org.uk/news/parliament-matters-podcast-e20❓ Submit your questions to us on all things Parliament using the form here: hansardsociety.org.uk/pmuq📱 Follow us across social media @HansardSociety✅ Subscribe to our newsletter for all the latest updates related to the Parliament Matters podcast and the wider work of the Hansard Society: hansardsociety.org.uk/nlSupport the Hansard Society by making a donation. We don't have a wealthy founder or an endowment. That's why donations are so important – they help to support our work AND our independence: hansardsociety.org.uk/donateParliament Matters is a Hansard Society production supported by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There were chaotic scenes in the House of Commons this week - as bad as anything seen during the Brexit convulsions – as the Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle made a hash of handling the SNPs Opposition Day debate on a ceasefire in Gaza. Furious MPs signed a motion expressing no confidence in the Chair. But why and how did the Speaker end up in this position and can he survive?Is it really a big deal or is it just political game-playing? Has a rubicon been crossed if the Speaker contravened the letter and the spirit of the Commons rules to protect MPs and their families from threats and intimidation outside Parliament? And what on earth will the public make of it all?It's reported in a new biography of Keir Starmer that a future Labour Government would make use of Citizens' Assemblies to help resolve contentious issues. So Mark and Ruth also discuss whether this is just the latest constitutional fad or a useful addition to the public policy process. 🎓 Access resources about issues mentioned in this episode via our website here: hansardsociety.org.uk/news/parliament-matters-podcast-e20❓ Submit your questions to us on all things Parliament using the form here: hansardsociety.org.uk/pmuq📱 Follow us across social media @HansardSociety✅ Subscribe to our newsletter for all the latest updates related to the Parliament Matters podcast and the wider work of the Hansard Society: hansardsociety.org.uk/nlSupport the Hansard Society by making a donation. We don't have a wealthy founder or an endowment. That's why donations are so important – they help to support our work AND our independence: hansardsociety.org.uk/donateParliament Matters is a Hansard Society production supported by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the House of Commons in recess this week Mark and Ruth catch up with listener's questions on a wide range of parliamentary topics. What was the point of debating an e-petition about the date of the general election? Was there ever a time when the Prime Minister gave a proper answer at PMQs? If the Speaker were to throw an MP out of the House of Commons Chamber for bad behaviour how would he do it? Is whipping in the best interests of democratic government? Sinn Fein MPs don't take their seats in Parliament so how are their office operations funded compared to other MPs? Do former Members of Parliament have security passes and access to the parliamentary estate? What are the hospitality facilities in Parliament like and who and what are they for? What is the capacity of Parliament that would need to be supported if they were to vacate the Palace of Westminster for repairs? The 'Wright Report': what is it and how much of it has been implemented? And to what extent are written parliamentary questions simply performative? 🎓 Access resources about issues mentioned in this episode via our website here: hansardsociety.org.uk/news/parliament-matters-podcast-e20❓ Submit your questions to us on all things Parliament using the form here: hansardsociety.org.uk/pmuq📱 Follow us across social media @HansardSociety✅ Subscribe to our newsletter for all the latest updates related to the Parliament Matters podcast and the wider work of the Hansard Society: hansardsociety.org.uk/nlSupport the Hansard Society by making a donation. We don't have a wealthy founder or an endowment. That's why donations are so important – they help to support our work AND our independence: hansardsociety.org.uk/donateParliament Matters is a Hansard Society production supported by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was supposed to be another culture wars attack line, but Rishi Sunak’s transgender jibe at Prime Minister’s Questions this week landed him in hot water. Is this misstep a sign of things to come in the general election campaign?Could Britain fight a war? We look at the political implications of a new Defence Select Committee report exploring the state of readiness of the country’s armed forces. And we explore just why the cross-party Committee is so annoyed with the Government.Every year thousands of mothers across the country experience birth trauma but it’s rarely discussed. Theo Clarke MP is trying to change that by being open about her own personal experience and co-chairing a new All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) inquiry about the issue. We talk to her about the campaign, what she hopes to achieve and the wider value of APPGs at Westminster. Resources The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Birth Trauma co-chaired by Theo Clarke MP – for further information and to submit evidence go to: https://www.theo-clarke.org.uk/birth-trauma🎓 Access resources about other issues mentioned in this episode via our website here: hansardsociety.org.uk/news/parliament-matters-podcast-e19❓ Submit your questions to us on all things Parliament using the form here: hansardsociety.org.uk/pmuq📱 Follow us across social media @HansardSociety✅ Subscribe to our newsletter for all the latest updates related to the Parliament Matters podcast and the wider work of the Hansard Society: hansardsociety.org.uk/nl Support the Hansard Society by making a donation. We don't have a wealthy founder or an endowment. That's why donations are so important – they help to support our work AND our independence: hansardsociety.org.uk/donate Parliament Matters is a Hansard Society production supported by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does Parliament have a potty-mouth problem? The Speaker of the House of Commons took MPs to task this week for their behaviour, amid accusations of a dramatic increase in the use of bad language in the Chamber. But is it really that fruity? And if he’s so concerned, isn’t it time the Speaker started to eject some MPs from the Chamber?The Government has struck a deal with the Democratic Unionist Party to restore power sharing in Northern Ireland, so we look ahead at what needs to happen to get the Assembly back up and running after nearly two years in suspended animation.We also discuss the decision by Mike Freer MP to stand down at the next election following threats to his life, what the Second Reading votes on the Rwanda Bill tell us about its future prospects in the House of Lords, and possible difficulties ahead for the proposal to exclude MPs from the parliamentary estate if accused of serious offences.🎓 Access resources about issues mentioned in this episode here: hansardsociety.org.uk/news/parliament-matters-podcast-e18❓ Send your questions to us on all things Parliament here: hansardsociety.org.uk/pmuq📱 Follow us across social media @HansardSociety✅ Subscribe to our newsletter for all the latest updates related to the Parliament Matters podcast and the wider work of the Hansard Society: hansardsociety.org.uk/nl🪙 Support the Hansard Society by making a donation. We don't have a wealthy founder or an endowment. That's why donations are so important – they help to support our work AND our independence: hansardsociety.org.uk/donateParliament Matters is a Hansard Society production supported by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust • Produced by Luke Boga Mitchell, Hansard Society Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Conservatives are on course for a shattering defeat and need to replace their leader again, says Sir Simon Clarke MP. We discuss the latest in the Conservative Party soap opera and what it means for parliamentary business ahead.Peers have voted not to ratify the UK-Rwanda treaty. At least they got a choice. The Commons Home Affairs Committee wants MPs to have a similar debate and vote, but the Government is refusing. We talk to former parliamentary lawyer Alex Horne about what is going on and what changes he thinks are needed to improve scrutiny of treaties by Parliament.And Mark catches up with Dame Karen Bradley, Chair of the Commons Procedure Committee. With a growing number of international hot-spots in danger of fizzing out of control, Dame Karen’s Committee has proposed the Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron, should come to the bar of the House of Commons to answer questions from MPs. But how will this work in practice?🎓 Access resources about issues mentioned in this episode here: hansardsociety.org.uk/news/parliament-matters-podcast-e17❓ Send your questions to us on all things Parliament here: hansardsociety.org.uk/pmuq📱 Follow us across social media @HansardSociety✅ Subscribe to our newsletter for all the latest updates related to the Parliament Matters podcast and the wider work of the Hansard Society: hansardsociety.org.uk/nl🪙 Support the Hansard Society by making a donation. We don't have a wealthy founder or an endowment. That's why donations are so important – they help to support our work AND our independence: hansardsociety.org.uk/donateParliament Matters is a Hansard Society production supported by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust • Produced by Luke Boga Mitchell, Hansard Society Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Rwanda Bill is through the Commons. Rishi Sunak has faced down his internal critics and diffused a backbench rebellion. The Bill now heads off to the House of Lords: What mayhem awaits it?This week’s air strikes against Houthi camps in Yemen to protect Red Sea shipping also prompted debate about the role Parliament should play when the Government deploys military force. Dr James Strong joins us in the studio to discuss Parliament and war powers.And one of the best books about Westminster for many years has been penned by the political commentator Ian Dunt. As luck would have it, Ruth and Mark were with Ian at the parliamentary nerdathon, the Study of Parliament Group annual conference, in Oxford. So, they got him to talk about his diagnosis of the problems with Parliament and his solutions.🎓 Access resources about issues mentioned in this episode here: hansardsociety.org.uk/news/parliament-matters-podcast-e16🔗 Does Parliament decide on war? Revisiting the Syria vote 10 years on – James Strong🔗 Why are MPs speaking more often but for less time? Five possible reasons – Caroline Bhattacharya and Stephen Holden Bates❓ Send your questions to us on all things Parliament here: hansardsociety.org.uk/pmuq📱 Follow us across social media @HansardSociety✅ Subscribe to our newsletter for all the latest updates related to the Parliament Matters podcast and the wider work of the Hansard Society: hansardsociety.org.uk/nl🪙 Support the Hansard Society by making a donation. We don't have a wealthy founder or an endowment. That's why donations are so important – they help to support our work AND our independence: hansardsociety.org.uk/donateParliament Matters is a Hansard Society production supported by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust • Produced by Luke Boga Mitchell, Hansard Society Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.