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PODCAST

Parliament Matters

Hansard Society

Join two of the UK"s leading parliamentary experts, Mark D"Arcy and Ruth Fox, as they guide you through the often mysterious ways our politicians do business and explore the running controversies about the way Parliament works. Each week they will analyse how laws are made and ministers held accountable by the people we send to Westminster. They will be debating the topical issues of the day, looking back at key historical events and discussing the latest research on democracy and Parliament. Why

government politics

All Episodes

26:14

Inside the hidden world of law-making.

Parliament Matters ·

2024/08/16

How is a King’s Speech crafted? What really happens behind the doors of the Parliamentary Business and Legislation Cabinet Committee? How have parliamentary tactics on legislation evolved and what new tactics might MPs employ when facing a Government with such a commanding majority? In this episode we discuss the art and strategy of law-making with Nikki da Costa, former Director of Legislative Affairs for two Conservative Prime Ministers in Number 10 Downing Street. Nikki shares her expert analysis

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59:47

£22 billion financial 'black hole': What is...

Parliament Matters ·

2024/08/02

This week's bruising Commons exchange between the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, and the man she replaced at the Treasury, Jeremy Hunt, is just the opening encounter in what promises to be a long running parliamentary battle over the state of the public finances. MPs can expect to be asked to approve extra spending estimates in the autumn, and there'll be a Budget and a full-scale Comprehensive Spending Review as well.But why were MPs asked to approve £1.04 trillion in extra spending in July, without

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41:34

Labour tightens its grip on Parliament

Parliament Matters ·

2024/07/27

One consequence of the mini-parliamentary rebellion on the King’s Speech is that Keir Starmer has decisively disciplined his backbench rebels, but is this firm approach a one-off for the King’s Speech or indicative of a broader strategy? With the Chancellor set to layout the depths of the nation’s financial woes next week, we ask: will the honeymoon period for the Labour government soon be over?Parliamentary Rebellion Consequences: The recent rebellion during the King’s Speech has significant

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1:09:03

What has Keir Starmer got in common with Robert Redford?

Parliament Matters ·

2024/07/19

The legislative sausage machine has cranked into action so Mark and Ruth dissect the government’s programme following the King’s Speech. They examine the proposals for major new bills on planning and devolution aimed at galvanising the economy, along with revamped legacy bills the Government is adopting from the previous administration. Where might political tensions and difficulties arise? What insights did the King’s Speech offer on parliamentary matters, and can we expect more bills beyond those

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1:03:40

New arrivals, absent friends and time-honoured...

Parliament Matters ·

2024/07/12

Old stagers and complete newcomers: Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s ministerial team is taking shape. But is it a good idea to turn newly-minted MPs straight into ministers? Looking ahead we also explore the upcoming Deputy Speaker elections and the allocation of Select Committee chairs.With hundreds of new MPs entering Parliament, all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, we examine the contrasting experiences of those leaving, disappointed and deflated. Former Conservative MP Paul Masterton shares his

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52:09

Who will be the stars of the new Parliament?

Parliament Matters ·

2024/07/07

With a 50% new intake and 40% female representation, the latest parliamentary group promises exciting new talent. Renowned journalist and 'Tomorrow’s MPs' watcher Michael Crick shares his insights on the standout figures to watch in the coming years.The general election results will reshape the parliamentary dynamics. How will this affect the Government and Opposition parties? Can the rules governing the rights and responsibilities of Opposition, designed for an era of two-party dominance, survive

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50:36

Supermajority vs. micro-opposition: Parliament after...

Parliament Matters ·

2024/06/28

Government Ministers have been warning of the risks if Labour wins a ‘supermajority’. But does the concept have any real meaning in the House of Commons? If Labour emerges from the election facing a tiny – a micro-opposition – what are the implications? And if the Conservative Party ends up with a similar number of seats to the Liberal Democrats should – indeed could - the rights and responsibilities of being the Official Opposition be split? Is there any historical precedent to call upon?How will

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1:08:54

Will the parties reform Westminster?

Parliament Matters ·

2024/06/21

After a brief election-induced hiatus Mark and Ruth are back to look at the party’s manifesto plans to reshape Parliament and politics. They are joined by one of the country’s leading constitutional experts, Professor Meg Russell, Director of the Constitution Unit at University College London, to give us her verdict on the parties’ proposals to reform both the Commons and the Lords.They explore Labour’s proposals for a Modernisation Committee in the House of Commons which will be tasked with

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28:20

Democratic decision-making in health emergencies:...

Parliament Matters ·

2024/05/31

This week we have a compelling conversation with human-rights barrister Adam Wagner as we delve into the findings of the Independent Commission on UK Public Health Emergency Powers. Just before the general election was called, the Commission published its final recommendations, aiming to reshape law-making in the event of a future health emergency in the UK.In this episode, we hae got exclusive insights from Adam Wagner and our co-host Ruth Fox, both Commissioners appointed by the Bingham Centre for

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49:20

General election called: What now for Parliament?

Parliament Matters ·

2024/05/24

This week, we dive into the unexpected political shake-up in Westminster, where Rishi Sunak’s decision to call a general election has thrown Parliament into turmoil. The Prime Minister’s surprising move to hold the election in early July, rather than waiting until Autumn, has sent shockwaves through the political landscape.We explore the immediate impact on MPs and their staff, highlighting notable figures who have swiftly announced their decision to step down. With the election looming, the normal

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59:40

Democracy is in danger, warns Theresa May

Parliament Matters ·

2024/05/17

In a powerful Churchill Attlee Lecture commemorating the Hansard Society's 80th anniversary, former Prime Minister Theresa May delivered a stark warning about the state of democracy. She expressed grave concerns about the waning trust in democratic institutions, particularly among young people.Theresa May emphasised the urgent need for a culture of service in politics, criticizing the culture of exceptionalism at Westminster and the notion that MPs are above the law. She called for politicians to

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1:00:39

Is the Conservative Party falling apart?

Parliament Matters ·

2024/05/10

Following the local election results, are we now in zombie Parliament territory? With no immediate general election in sight what can be achieved in Westminster before MPs finally make their rendezvous with the voters?We talk to Professor Tim Bale about defeat, defections and the internal dynamics of the Conservative Party. Is what we are witnessing merely the natural result of 14-years in office and a party in the doldrums having run out of government steam? Or is the Conservative Party’s historic

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1:04:17

Post Office Horizon scandal: what is Parliament doing...

Parliament Matters ·

2024/05/03

Should Parliament simply overturn the convictions of postmasters caught up in the Post Office Horizon scandal? That’s what the Government proposes to do through the Post Office (Horizon system) Offences Bill. But quashing of convictions is normally a matter for the courts. Some MPs have misgivings about setting a constitutional precedent as well as practical concerns about how the Bill will be implemented. We talk to the Chair of the Justice Select Committee, Sir Bob Neill MP.Meanwhile, SNP MPs are

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27:01

Is AI set to destroy trust in elections? Tackling...

Parliament Matters ·

2024/04/30

The emerging role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in shaping political discourse is a potential game changer. It has the capacity to fabricate fake interviews and manipulate images, all of which could mislead voters and disrupt the democratic process. But could it affect the results of our elections?We talk to Chris Morris, the head of factchecking organisation Full Fact, about the threats posed by these technologies, the potential scale of misinformation in politics, and the measures politicians

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45:59

Rwanda Bill becomes law: but what was really going on...

Parliament Matters ·

2024/04/26

The Rwanda Bill has made it over the parliamentary finishing line but not without some last-minute drama. We talk to the SNP’s Alison Thewliss MP about what went on in a small room behind the Speaker’s Chair away from the cameras!And what on earth is going on in the minds of MPs, after another in a succession of sleaze scandals hits Westminster. This time it’s Mark Menzies MP who has resigned from the Conservative Party and won’t stand again at the general election. He’s facing accusations of fraud

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51:29

Tobacco and Vapes Bill: free vote blows smoke in...

Parliament Matters ·

2024/04/18

Rishi Sunak offered his MPs a free vote on his flagship Tobacco and Vapes Bill and dozens concluded they could not support it. As well as exploring the politics of the Bill, Ruth and Mark discuss the concept of a free vote and how they have been deployed in previous parliamentary sessions.They denounced them at the time, but should Labour Ministers now use the sweeping powers Conservative Ministers have given themselves in this Parliament – for example, in the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform)

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45:52

William Wragg's honeytrap crisis and is Speaker Hoyle...

Parliament Matters ·

2024/04/12

This week we are joined by former House of Commons Clerk, Paul Evans, to discuss William Wragg’s fall from grace following a ‘honeytrap sting’. What does it tell us about the vulnerabilities public officials face in the digital age, and the complex interplay between personal conduct and public service?Numerous press reports suggest the Government may support another cross-party attempt to refer the conduct of the Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP and the Labour Leader, Sir Keir Starmer MP, to the

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16:40

Defending free speech from SLAPPs

Parliament Matters ·

2024/03/29

Wayne David's groundbreaking Private Member's Bill aimed at thwarting Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) may be the most significant Private Member’s Bill to emerge from this final year of the current Parliament. But is there enough time to get this measure into law before the general election?We talk to Wayne David about the genesis of this crucial legislation, from exposing the abuse of legal systems by affluent individuals to building bipartisan support in Parliament. From

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50:46

Another Rwanda roadblock

Parliament Matters ·

2024/03/22

The Lords have dug in their heels and inflicted seven defeats on the Government over the Rwanda Bill this week. The Government claims the Bill is emergency legislation but it will not go back to the House of Commons until after the Easter recess. We discuss why, and what will happen next.Senior Conservative backbencher William Wragg MP tells us why he has lost confidence in the Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, and why he has therefore resigned from the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral

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55:02

Unheard: the parliamentary snubbing of Diane Abbott

Parliament Matters ·

2024/03/15

Why did the Speaker fail to call Diane Abbott during Prime Minister’s Questions? The image of Britain’s first black female MP being talked about at the Despatch Box while not being allowed to say anything herself, once again left the House of Commons looking out of touch.Do Henry VIII powers threaten parliamentary democracy? Former MP and law professor, David Howarth, warns that Ministers are dodging scrutiny by MPs because they have powers to make significant changes to the law without proper

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