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News (100)
Radio 4's weekly assessment of developments at Westminster
From The Week in Westminster at 2024-04-20 11:02:00
Sonia Sodha of The Observer is joined by a range of guests to analyse the latest developments at Westminster. To discuss the confrontation between Israel and Iran she speaks to former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith and former British diplomat Sir William Patey. Following newspaper allegations about Conservative MP Mark Menzies she looks at how parties deal with such issues with Francis Elliott, editor of The House magazine, and Anne Perkins, a former political correspondent for The Guardian. Paul Johnson of The Institute for Fiscal Studies explains some new research looking at the success of SureStart and discusses how future governments can do meaningful social policy in an era of fiscal restraint. And, to reflect on the release of Liz Truss's book and her opposition to Rishi Sunak's smoking ban, Sonia is joined by Mark Littlewood, director of the Truss-supporting 'Popular Conservatism' group, and Anna Soubry, a former Conservative MP and public health minister.
From The Week in Westminster at 2024-03-23 11:30:00
Steve Richards is joined by a panel of guests to discuss the political landscape ahead of a general election. Steve is joined by The Spectator's Fraser Nelson, Whitehall Editor at the Financial Times, Lucy Fisher, and Britan Editor at the New Statesman, Anoosh Chakelian.
From The Week in Westminster at 2024-03-16 11:30:00
George Parker, political editor of the Financial Times, looks back at the political week in which the Conservative party's biggest donor, Frank Hester, was reported to have used racist language about Diane Abbott, Britain's first black woman MP. It overshadowed a new government announcement on extremism which was unveiled by Communities Secretary Michael Gove. To discuss both those stories George is joined by one of the Conservative party's most prominent black politicians, Shaun Bailey, who was a former candidate for Mayor of London and now sits in the House of Lords, and Lord Mann, a former Labour MP who is now the government's independent adviser on antisemitism. Following news that the government intends to bring forward a mechanism to ban foreign state ownership of UK newspapers George is joined by Baroness Stowell, Conservative Chair of the Lords Communication and Digital Committee, and Lionel Barber, the former editor of the Financial Times. The Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, was quizzed by MPs this week about his Budget in which he made a further cut to National Insurance. Lord Macpherson, a former Permanent Secretary to the Treasury, discusses whether the Chancellor could phase out national insurance altogether and looks at the economic situation in this election year and beyond. And, after a torrid week, are the wheels coming off the Number Ten operation? And can anything lift the darkening mood among Tory MPs? To discuss that George brings together Sir Craig Oliver, former Downing Street Director of Communications, and Katy Balls, political editor of The Spectator.
From The Week in Westminster at 2024-03-09 11:30:00
Pippa Crerar, political editor at The Guardian, dicusses the Budget with Dame Angela Eagle, Labour MP on the treasury Select Committee and Stephen Hammond, Conservative MP on the treasury Select Committee.
She then discusses the Rwanda legislation in the House of Lords with Baroness Shami Chakrabarti and Baroness Catherine Meyer.
There's an interview with Mark Drakeford, first minister of Wales who will step down later this month.
Plus, what if the US and UK election campaigns coincide? With Lord Kim Darroch, former UK ambassador to USA and Lord Daniel Finkelstein, former national security adviser.
From The Week in Westminster at 2024-03-02 11:30:00
Bloomberg's Emily Ashton discusses the latest developments at Westminster. Emily is joined by Lord Barwell, who served as Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister, Theresa May in Downing Street, and former political adviser to the Labour Party, John McTernan, as they discuss the results of the Rochdale by-election.
To discuss Islamophobia, Emily is joined by Baron Walney, the government’s independent adviser on political violence and disruption, and Baroness Gohir, who leads the charity, Muslim Women's Network UK.
Emily is joined by the Institute for Government's Jill Rutter, and Dame Sara Thornton, the UK's former Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner to discuss the role of commissioners and independent advisers, following the sacking of David Neal, the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration.
And finally, as the Prime Minister hosted a cabinet in Yorkshire this week, Emily brings together the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, and Seb Payne, Director of the centre right think tank, Onward, to discuss the importance of politicians getting out of Westminster.
From The Week in Westminster at 2024-02-24 11:30:00
Following the chaotic scenes in Parliament on Wednesday Sonia Sodha of The Observer analyses the political week. Dr Ruth Fox of The Hansard Society explains why an opposition day debate about Gaza, and calls for a ceasefire, descended in to bitter arguments about parliamentary procedure. John Nicolson of the SNP discusses why his party thinks the Commons Speaker should resign over the issue. And, to reflect on the wider crisis, Sonia speaks to former Middle East Minister Tobias Ellwood and the Chair of the International Development Select Committee, Sarah Champion, who has just returned from a trip to the Egypt-Gaza border. On Monday the Business Secretary, Kemi Badenoch, gave a robust response to claims made by the former Chairman of the Post Office who she had previously sacked over the Horizon scandal. Sonia speaks to two MPs who were in the chamber for that statement: Conservative Conor Burns and Labour's Kevan Jones, who has campaigned for many years on behalf of wrongly convicted sub-postmasters. And, after Keir Starmer's chief of staff suggested Labour could make use of citizens' assemblies to decide on contentious issues, Sonia brings together Louise Caldwell, who took part in the Irish citizens' assembly on abortion, and Joe Twyman of Deltapoll, who has helped run such assemblies in the past.
From The Week in Westminster at 2024-02-10 11:00:00
Radio 4's weekly assessment of developments at Westminster
From The Week in Westminster at 2024-02-02 18:29:00
Ben Riley-Smith of The Daily Telegraph discusses the latest developments at Westminster in the week that the Democratic Unionist Party ended its boycott of the Northern Ireland Assembly after reaching a deal with the UK government over post-Brexit trading arrangements. Ben speaks to the Conservative chairman of Parliament's Northern Ireland Committee, Sir Robert Buckland MP, and Claire Hanna, MP for the nationalist SDLP.
To discuss Nicola Sturgeon's evidence to the Covid inquiry, and her legacy as Scotland's First Minister, Ben speaks to Ian Blackford MP, former SNP Westminster leader, and Kezia Dugdale, ex leader of Scottish Labour and now director of the John Smith Centre at the University of Glasgow.
The Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron, declared this week that the UK is ready to bring forward formal recognition of a Palestinian state. To analyse that Ben is joined by Tom Fletcher, formerly David Cameron's foreign affairs adviser and then UK Ambassador to Lebanon, and Alicia Kearns MP, the Conservative chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.
And, as Labour begins formal 'access talks' with the civil service, Ben gets some reflections on how the civil service approaches such talks with the former Cabinet Secretary Robin, now Lord, Butler.
From The Week in Westminster at 2024-01-27 11:30:00
Pippa Crerar, political editor of The Guardian analyses the latest political developments at Westminster.
Former Conservative Cabinet Minister Damian Green and Labour MP Sarah Owen discuss whether the government should introduce tax cuts in the forthcoming Budget.
This week marks the centenary of the first Labour government. Journalist and broadcaster Anne Perkins and Tom Baldwin, former Labour adviser and author of ‘Keir Starmer: The Biography’, discuss what that victory meant for the Labour movement and the current fortunes of Keir Starmer.
The newly-appointed chair of the Standards in Public Life Committee, Doug Chalmers, discusses his new role.
And, Katy Balls, Political Editor of The Spectator magazine, discusses the digital strategy of political parties with Tom Edmonds, who runs a digital consultancy. He also worked for the Conservative party and ran their digital campaigns, under David Cameron, at the 2015 election.
From The Week in Westminster at 2024-01-19 18:19:00
Paul Waugh, chief political commentator of the i Newspaper, assesses the latest developments in Westminster.
In a week of challenges for the Conservative Party over their Rwanda plan, Paul is joined by Sir John Hayes MP and Labour's Baroness Hayter, to discuss what happens next.
Meanwhile in the small Swiss town of Davos, government ministers and tech billionaires rub shoulders to discuss global challenges. Former Downing Street Director of Communications, Guto Harri, is joined from Davos by the Financial Times' Gillian Tett to discuss what it's all about.
Gareth Davies, Comptroller & Auditor General of the National Audit Office sets out the challenges facing government following his speech to Parliament this week.
And finally, in a week of polls, Deltapoll's Joe Twyman and Sophie Stowers from UK in a changing Europe, discuss how seriously we should take the polls as we prepare for a general election this year.
From The Week in Westminster at 2024-01-13 11:30:00
George Parker, political editor of the Financial Times, assesses the latest developments at Westminster as the Prime Minister authorises air strikes against Houthi rebels in the Red Sea and pays a surprise trip to Ukraine. George speaks to former UK ambassador to Washington and former national security adviser, Lord Darroch, about the military action and the global security situation. With the Post Office scandal taking centre stage in Parliament this week George brings together Conservative MP and former postal services minister, Paul Scully, and SNP MP and chair of the Post Office All Party Parliamentary Group, Marion Fellows. Conservative MP Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and Labour's Dame Angela Eagle debate the role of the Office for Budget Responsibility in shaping economic policy. And, as Rishi Sunak pitches himself as the continuity candidate ahead of a general election, George speaks to John Major's former political secretary, Lord Hill, and Keir Starmer's former director of policy, Claire Ainsley, about whether the 1992 election provides any lessons for the main parties.
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-12-16 11:30:00
Radio 4's weekly assessment of developments at Westminster
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-12-09 11:30:00
Radio 4's weekly assessment of developments at Westminster
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-12-02 11:30:00
The Observer's Sonia Sodha and guests look back on the political week. Conservative MP Danny Kruger and executive co-chair of the National Care Association Nadra Ahmed discuss migration and social care. Labour MP and former culture secretary Ben Bradshaw and Conservative MP and chair of the British Museum APPG Tim Loughton talk about the row over the Parthenon sculptures. PMQs is dissected by Ayesha Hazarika, former political adviser to Ed Miliband and Harriet Harman, and Sir Craig Oliver, former director of communications at No 10 under David Cameron. And the late Alistair Darling is remembered by Catherine MacLeod and Torsten Bell, who were both his former advisers.
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-11-25 11:30:00
Ben Riley-Smith and guests look back on a week in which the general election battle lines became clearer. Did the Chancellor's Autumn Statement give with one hand to take away with another? Are the UK's net migration figures unsustainably high? How are the main parties selecting candidates for the next election? And what's the point of state visits? Producer: Leala Padmanabhan
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-11-18 11:02:00
What's the future for the UK's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda? Does Rishi Sunak have an ideological core? What are the UK's big challenges on the world stage? And what role does the 'people's channel' GB News have in political culture?
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-11-11 11:30:00
Radio 4's weekly assessment of developments at Westminster
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-10-28 11:30:00
Radio 4's weekly assessment of developments at Westminster
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-10-21 11:30:00
Is Labour on course for government after its historic by-election wins? How are MPs personally affected by the Israel Gaza conflict? Are politicians operating in an era of no money? And might Rishi Sunak defy the bookies and call a general election in the spring, or push on until January 2025? Financial Times political editor George Parker and guests look back on a busy week in Westminster as MPs returned after the party conferences.
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-09-16 11:30:00
Paul Waugh, chief political commentator for the i paper, analyses the latest developments at Westminster. Following reports that a Parliamentary researcher had been arrested amid claims of spying for Beijing, Paul assesses the state of UK-China relations with Conservative MP, Richard Graham, who chairs the All Party Parliamentary China Group, and Labour peer Helena Kennedy, who was sanctioned by China in 2021. Paul Nowak, General Secretary of the TUC, discusses the state of industrial relations in Britain and Labour's plan for new workers' rights. Amid speculation that the Treasury is mulling a one-off break from the pensions triple lock, Paul speaks to Conservative peer and former pensions minister, Ros Altmann, and deputy chief executive of the Resolution Foundation, Mike Brewer. And, as elections get underway to fill newly vacant select committee chairs, Paul assesses what it's like to campaign and compete for the affections of what’s sometimes called ‘the most sophisticated electorate’ in the country - Mary Creagh, former Labour MP and chair of the Environmental Audit Committee, and Steve Brine, the current Conservative chair of the Health Select Committee, swap tales from campaigns past.
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-09-09 11:30:00
Sonia Sodha of The Observer analyses the latest developments at Westminster as politicians return from their summer break. Following the concrete crisis in schools she speaks to the Conservative chairman of the Education Select Committee and former education minister, Robin Walker, and Dame Meg Hillier, Labour chair of the Public Accounts Committee. To analyse the latest revisions in GDP data, which showed the UK had fared much better following the pandemic than previously thought, Sonia is joined by Professor of Economics at Cambridge University, Diane Coyle. As MPs debate the government's Energy Bill Sonia brings together the former Environment Secretary, George Eustice, and Parliament's only Green MP, Caroline Lucas, to discuss whether Tory factionalism is harming the transition to net zero. And, as Keir Starmer's shadow cabinet reshuffle prompts headlines about the 'return of the Blairites', she speaks to Tony Blair's former Chief Whip, Hilary Armstrong, and Times political correspondent, Patrick Maguire.
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-07-22 11:53:00
Steve Richards and guests discuss the fallout from the by-elections - and the challenges facing the main political parties - with a panel of journalists: Pippa Crerar, Political Editor of the Guardian; Fraser Nelson, Editor of The Spectator magazine and Lucy Fisher, Whitehall Editor at the Financial Times
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-07-15 11:00:00
The i Newspaper's Chief Political Commentator, Paul Waugh, discusses the biggest political stories of the week with guests. Paul Waugh discusses the public sector pay settlements with former Treasury Minister, Dame Angela Eagle, and the Conservative Chair of the Education Select Committee, Robin Walker. Baroness Catherine Ashton, former High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, delivers her assessment of the NATO Summit. Labour Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee, Dame Diana Johnson, and fellow Conservative Committee member, Tim Loughton, discuss the Illegal Migration Bill. And, former Conservative special adviser Sam Freedman, and The Guardian's Media Editor, Jim Waterson, discuss what the arrival of new social media app 'Threads' means for politicians and journalists.
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-07-08 11:02:00
Isabel Hardman, Assistant Editor of The Spectator, discusses the week's biggest political stories of the week with guests. Isabel Hardman discusses the future direction of the Conservative Party with Conservative MP Danny Kruger and Gavin Barwell, Conservative peer and former chief of staff to Theresa May. In the week of the 75th annniversary of the NHS, Lord Nigel Crisp former Chief Executive NHS England and Crossbench peer and Sally Warren, Director of Policy, The King’s Fund discuss the challenges facing the NHS. Isabel discusses the presence of Bishops in the House of Lords with The Rt Revd Dr David Walker, The Bishop of Manchester And, Professor Meg Russell, director of the Constitution Unit at UCL and Rob Hutton, Sketchwriter for The Critic, discuss 'Parliamentary ping pong'.
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-07-01 11:02:00
As the Government unveils its long-awaited NHS workforce plan George Parker of The Financial Times is joined by the chairman of the Health Select Committee, Steve Brine MP, and Labour peer and former NHS clinician, Robert Winston. After the Court of Appeal ruled that the Government's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda was unlawful, George speaks to Conservative MP Sally-Ann Hart, who represents the south coast seat of Hastings and Rye, and Labour peer Shami Chakrabarti, the former director of the human rights group Liberty. The Conservative peer Andrew Tyrie, who formerly led the Competition and Markets Authority, discusses whether industry regulators are up to the job after the Chancellor met various regulators this week to discuss the cost of living crisis. And, following reports that many Conservative MPs are absent from Westminster as they try to defend marginal seats and campaign in the upcoming by-elections, Conservative MP Lucy Allan and former Conservative strategist Andrew Cooper, now a non-affiliated peer, discuss Tory chances at the next general election.
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-06-24 11:00:00
Pippa Crerar, political editor of the Guardian, discusses the political stories of the week with guests. Treasury Select Committee members, Andrea Leadsom and Rushanara Ali, discuss the Bank of England's interest rate rise and mortgages. Matthew Taylor, a former adviser to Tony Blair and Chief Executive of the NHS, and Lord Bethell, a former government minister, discuss the Covid Inquiry. The biographer, Sir Anthony Seldon, gives his verdict on Boris Johnson's leadership. And, Jamie Njoku-Goodwin, CEO of UK Music, and music journalist, Lisa Verrico, discuss the place of politics at Glastonbury Festival.
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-06-17 11:02:00
George Parker, political editor of the Financial Times, discusses the week's biggest political stories of the week with guests. Dame Margaret Beckett, former Labour deputy leader and Lord Howard, the former Conservative Party leader, discuss the Privileges Committee report into former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Baroness Bertin, Conservative peer and former press secretary to David Cameron, discusses political peerages and the reform of the House of Lords. Former Labour Cabinet minister, Lord Mandelson and Conservative MP and former Business Secretary Greg Clark discuss whether the government should have an industrial strategy. And, Labour MP Kim Leadbeater and Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney discuss what it's like to fight a by-election.
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-06-10 11:45:00
Ben Riley-Smith of the Daily Telegraph discusses the week’s biggest political stories with guests - including discussions on the Prime Minister’s trip to Washington and Artificial Intelligence; the use of WhatsApp in government; the issues facing unpaid carers. In addition, we hear from Government Minister Jesse Norman and former Labour Cabinet Minister Alan Johnson on why they started writing novels.
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-05-27 11:30:00
Radio 4's weekly assessment of developments at Westminster
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-05-20 11:02:00
Radio 4's weekly assessment of developments at Westminster
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-05-13 11:00:00
Radio 4's weekly assessment of developments at Westminster
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-05-06 17:31:00
Anne McElvoy, executive editor of Politico Europe, discusses the week's biggest political stories with guests Harry Cole, political editor of The Sun, George Parker, political editor of the Financial Times, and Sonia Sodha, columnist at The Observer.
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-04-29 11:30:00
George Parker, political editor of the Financial Times, discusses the week's biggest political stories with guests. Vicky Ford, former Africa minister and chair of the APPG on Sudan; and Sir Simon Fraser, former permanent secretary at the Foreign Office discuss the situation in Sudan. Baroness McGregor-Smith, Conservative peer and former President of the British Chambers of Commerce; and Lord Wood of Anfield, former adviser to Gordon Brown and Ed Miliband, discuss the relationship between political parties and business. The Duke of Wellington gives his verdict on the government's plans to tackle sewage pollution in rivers and talks about his Lords amendment that sparked the now-contentious debate. And General David Leakey, former Black Rod; and Professor Kate Williams, historian and TV presenter, look at Westminster's role in the Coronation.
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-04-22 11:02:00
Isabel Hardman, assistant editor of The Spectator, discusses the week's biggest political stories with guests. David Gauke, former Conservative MP and justice secretary; and Jill Rutter, from the Institute for Government and former senior civil servant discuss Dominic Raab‘s resignation, and relations between ministers and the civil service. Luke Tryl, director of More in Common and former adviser to former education secretary Nicky Morgan; and Carl Shoben, of Strategic Communications for Survation, and former Labour adviser and strategist (for Tony Blair and Jeremy Corbyn) discuss local elections. Kezia Dugdale, former leader of the Scottish Labour Party and director of Glasgow University’s John Smith Institute; and Stephen Gethins, former SNP MP and professor of Practice in International Relations, St Andrew’s University look at The SNP’s recent troubles. And Selaine Saxby, Conservative MP, maths graduate and former maths teacher; and Stian Westlake, chief executive of Royal Statistical Society ask whether maths matters.
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-04-01 10:31:00
Radio 4's weekly assessment of developments at Westminster
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-03-25 11:03:00
Paul Waugh, Chief Political Commentator of the i paper, looks back at a dramatic week in which former Prime Minister Boris Johnson was questioned by the Privileges Committee over whether he deliberately misled Parliament over parties in Downing Street during the pandemic. Paul is joined by the former editor of The Daily Telegraph, Charles Moore, who was given a life peerage by Boris Johnson in 2020, and Lord Sumption, a former senior judge who sat on the UK Supreme Court. With parliamentary standards in the spotlight Paul is also joined by Dr Hannah White of the Institute for Government and Tammy Banks, an outgoing lay member of Parliament's standards committee, who reflects on her six year stint in the role, including the political fallout from the investigation in to former Conservative MP Owen Paterson for breaching paid advocacy rules. After Parliament voted overwhelmingly to approve the new Windsor Framework Paul speaks to the former Irish Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern, to discuss the chances of a return to power-sharing in Northern Ireland and to look ahead to the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. And, to assess whether this week's Conservative soap opera will have any effect on upcoming elections, Paul speaks to Professor Tim Bale, author of a new book about the Conservative Party after Brexit, and Professor Jane Green, co-Director of the British Election Study.
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-03-18 11:30:00
George Parker, political editor of the Financial Times, discusses the week's biggest political stories with guests. Dame Angela Eagle MP, a former Labour treasury minister, and Conservative MP Anthony Browne assess the Budget. Alexander Downer, former Australian foreign minister, and Bronwen Maddox, director of Chatham House, take a look at the Aukus deal and China. The Parthenon Sculptures are debated by Ben Bradshaw MP, former Labour culture secretary, and Emily Sheffield, ex-editor of the Evening Standard newspaper. Plus an interview with Lord Heseltine ahead of his 90th birthday on Tuesday.
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-03-11 11:30:00
As the Government unveils its long-awaited plan to deter people from crossing the English Channel in small boats, Ben Riley-Smith of The Daily Telegraph is joined by the former Home Secretary, Lord Blunkett, and Conservative MP, Danny Kruger. With the civil service in the spotlight following two separate rows involving senior mandarins, Ben speaks to the former Head of the Civil Service, Lord Kerslake. Conservative peer and former pensions minister, Baroness Altmann, and chief executive of the New Economics Foundation and Labour Parliamentary candidate, Miatta Fahnbulleh, discuss the ways in which the Government could encourage more people back in to work. And, following the first Anglo-French summit in five years, Ben brings together former UK Ambassador to Paris and Washington, Sir Peter Westmacott, and French journalist, Agnes Poirier, to examine Rishi Sunak's diplomacy.
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-03-04 11:15:00
Bloomberg's Emily Ashton looks back at the week in which the Prime Minister hailed a breakthrough deal on the Northern Ireland Protcol and a minister's leaked messages during Covid dominated the headlines. Emily speaks to Labour peer Jenny Chapman, a former shadow Brexit minister, and the former Brexit Secretary David Davis about the significance of the deal and whether Brexit is finally done. Professor Katy Hayward explains the implications of the Windsor Framework for the Democratic Unionist Party. Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran, who chairs the all-party parliamentary group on coronavirus and The Telegraph's Christopher Hope discuss revelations following the publication of leaker WhatsApp messages from former Health Secretary Matt Hancock. And how are the Conservatives and Labour preparing for next year's elections? Emily discusses the path to the manifesto with Sebastian Payne from Onward, a centre-right think tank, and Keir Starmer's former head of domestic policy, Olivia Bailey.
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-02-25 11:30:00
As the Prime Minister searches for a new deal with the EU over post-Brexit trading arrangements in Northern Ireland, BBC Political Correspondent Ben Wright speaks to Conservative MP and former Northern Ireland minister, Conor Burns, and Theresa May's former Chief of Staff Lord Barwell. The SNP MP Joanna Cherry discusses the current state of the race to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader and Scotland's First Minister and what her departure means for the independence movement. Following news that the Royal College of Nursing has paused next week's planned strike and agreed to talk to the Government, Ben brings together two members of the Health Select Committee: Labour MP, and former nurse, Paulette Hamilton, and Conservative chairman Steve Brine. And Paul Johnson, Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies Paul Johnson and author of a new book called 'Follow the Money', joins Kitty Ussher, former Treasury minister and now Chief Economist of the Institute of Directors, to look ahead to next month's Budget and analyse the state of our public finances.
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-02-11 11:30:00
Assistant Editor of The Spectator, Isabel Hardman, looks back at the week in which Ukraine's President Zelensky addressed Parliament after making a surprise visit to the UK. Isabel speaks to the former secretary-general of NATO, Lord George Robertson and the former defence secretary Dr Liam Fox about President's Zelensky's address to Westminster Hall and what the UK should do to help Ukraine. She is also joined by Dame Kate Bingham, the former vaccines tsar and managing partner of life sciences venture capital firm SV health Investors to discuss the new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and how Britain can become a science superpower. The former DUP leader and first minister of Northern Ireland, Baroness Arlene Foster discusses the Northern Ireland protocol. And why are an increasing number of politicians becoming TV and radio presenters? Former Labour MP and now GB News presenter Gloria de Piero debates this with Financial Times chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley.
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-02-04 11:01:00
Political editor of The Guardian, Pippa Crerar, looks back at the week in which Rishi Sunak completed 100 days in office. As Tory MPs make fresh calls for tax cuts following a bleak economic forecast from the International Monetary Fund, Pippa speaks to Sir Jake Berry, briefly party chairman under Liz Truss; and David Gauke, a cabinet minister under Theresa May. She is also joined by former education secretary, Justine Greening; and Labour MP and ex-teacher Emma Hardy, to discuss the teachers' strike and wider industrial unrest. The pollster James Johnson looks at public attitudes to Brexit three years after Britain left the EU. And, as Westminster insiders debate whether the current political moment is more like 1992 or 1997, Pippa brings together Lord Mandelson, architect of New Labour, and Rachel Wolf, co-author of the 2019 Conservative manifesto.
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-01-28 11:30:00
Top commentators review the political week
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-01-21 11:30:00
George Parker from the FT hosts a review of the political week. Including discussions on gender recognition and devolution; retained EU law and the annual Davos meeting. He also interviews former top diplomat Lord McDonald on relations between the UK and Iran.
From The Week in Westminster at 2023-01-14 11:02:00
Top commentators review the political week
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-12-24 11:30:00
Top commentators review the political week
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-12-17 11:30:00
The Political Editor of the Financial Times, George Parker, looks back on events in a frozen week in Westminster. He brings together Conservaive MP Simon Clarke, the former Levelling Up Secretary, and Jack Straw, the former Labour Cabinet minister and adviser to the Callaghan government, to discuss the mounting number of strikes and whether there are any parallels with the 'Winter of Discontent' in 1978-9. In a rare interview, Lord Macpherson, Permanent Secretary to the Treasury from 2005 to 2016, reflects on the tumultous economic events of the last few months and whether so-called Treasury orthodoxy has returned. Also in the programme, the Labour MP for Canterbury, Rosie Duffield, and Jack Brereton, Conservative MP for Stoke-on-Trent South, discuss migrant Channel crossings and the pressures on the asylum system. Finally, Rachel Reeves, the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, reveals why she writes over 3,000 Christmas cards each year. Editor: Peter Snowdon
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-12-10 11:30:00
The Guardian's Political Editor Pippa Crerar looks back on events in Westminster this week. She is joined by the former Cabinet Minister, Conservative MP Kit Malthouse, and the outgoing General Secretary of the TUC, Frances O'Grady, to discuss the Government's response to the increasing number of strikes from nurses and paramedics to the ongoing dispute on the railways. The SNP's Dr Philippa Whitford MP and David Clegg, editor of The Courier in Dundee, consider the new leader of the SNP group at Westminster, Stephen Flynn, and what impact he will have on the party's prospects. A number of MPs and peers attempted SATs tests in Westminster this week. Among them were the Conservative chair of the Education Select Committee, Robin Walker MP, and Labour's Baroness Christine Blower, a former General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers. They discuss whether or not the tests are in need of reform. Finally, the Conservative MP Duncan Baker reflects on his family's experience in hosting a Ukrainian mother and son and whether the Homes for Ukraine scheme should continue. Editor: Peter Snowdon
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-12-03 11:30:00
Top commentators review the political week
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-11-26 11:32:00
Paul Waugh, chief political commentator at the i newspaper looks back at the week in Westminster. Following the Supreme Court ruling on the jurisidiction of another independence referendum in Scotland, the Scottish leaders of Labour and the Conservatives, Anas Sawar MSP and Douglas Ross MP MSP, debate its consequences with Kirsty Oswald MP, deputy leader of the SNP at Westminster. Also on the programme., the Conservative MP for the Isle of Wight, Bob Seely, and Rachel Wolf, co-author of the 2019 Conservative manifesto, discuss housing targets amid party dvisions over the issue this week. Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, the former Conservative arts minister talks about her concerns over the recent funding announcement by Arts Council England. Finally, the Labour frontbencher and biographer, Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, and the Sun's Harry Cole, who's biography of Liz Truss was published this week, consider timely political history. Editor: Peter Snowdon
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-11-19 11:30:00
Emily Ashton of Bloomberg review the week in Westminster, including a discussion about the Chancellor's Autumn Statement, Conservative MP Anthony Browne and Labour MP and chair of the Business Select Committee Darren Jones. Conservative MP Miriam Cates and Joeli Brearley, founder of the charity Pregnant Then Screwed, discuss issues around childcare including how support for mothers can be improved. Also in this week's programme, Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine explains why she has tabled a Bill to allow Parliament to appoint an independent ethics adviser if the role remains vacant. And Labour Leader of the House of Lords, Angela Smith and Conservative Peer Philip Norton, who is also professor of government at the University of Hull, discuss Lord Norton's Private Members' Bill which aims to strengthen the body that vets nominees for new peerages. They also discuss the size of the House of Lords.
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-11-12 11:30:00
Ben Riley-Smith from The Telegraph reviews the week in Westminster including an interview about the state of the economy with former Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling. Former Work and Pensions secretary, Chloe Smith MP debates whether the pensions triple lock should be retained with Rachel Cunliffe from the New Statesman and whether the system is fair across the generations. Also in this week's programme, statistician Georgina Sturge who works in the House of Commons library discusses the use of data in politics with the SNP's Carol Monaghan MP, a former physics and maths teacher. And Conservative backbencher, Tim Loughton MP joins the deputy editor of ConservativeHome, Henry Hill to reflect on the state of the Conservative party two weeks into Rishi Sunak's premiership, including their thoughts on the resignation of Sir Gavin Williamson this week.
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-11-05 11:32:00
Top commentators review the political week, presented by political editor of The Guardian, Pippa Crerar. With guests Dame Diana Johnson MP, chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee; Sir John Hayes MP; Alok Sharma MP, outgoing COP president; Daniel Greenberg, incoming parliamentary commissioner for standards; Matthew Parris, columnist for The Times; and Susie Boniface, columnist for the Daily Mirror.
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-10-29 11:30:00
Isabel Hardman from The Spectator reviews a dramatic week in Westminster following Rishi Sunak's arrival in Downing Street. The former Conservative Cabinet minister Greg Clark discusses the Prime Minister's first few days in office with the Shadow Leader of the House Thangam Debbonaire. As Northern Ireland prepares for new elections to Stormont, the former DUP leader in Westminster Lord Dodds explains why his party refused to share power with Sinn Fein. Also in this week's programme, the SNP's Brendan O’Hara and Conservative MP and former Cabinet minister Theresa Villiers debate legislation to remove the legal status of all retained EU law by 2023. Not since the early 1980s have three former prime ministers sat in the House of Commons. The veteran documentary-maker Michael Cockerell, who interviewed Harold Wilson, James Callaghan and Edward Heath, joins Catherine Haddon from the Institute of Government to reflect on whether Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Liz Truss's presence on the backbenches will be a help or hindrance to Rishi Sunak. Editor: Peter Snowdon
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-10-22 11:42:00
Ben Wright and guests reflect on a dramatic week in Westminster following Liz Truss's announcement that she will resign as prime minister. The panel includes the political editor of the Financial Times George Parker, Daily Telegraph columnist Tim Stanley and Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff.
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-10-15 11:40:00
Top commentators review the political week
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-09-24 11:29:00
Review of the political week, including the new government under Liz Truss, and the challenges facing Labour. Presented by writer and broadcaster Steve Richards, with guests Isabel Hardman, assistant editor, The Spectator; Sebastian Payne, whitehall editor, The Financial Times; and Paul Waugh, chief political commentator, the i newspaper.
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-09-10 11:06:00
Ben Wright and guests reflect on a momentous week following the death of Queen Elizabeth and the ascendancy of King Charles within days of Liz Truss becoming prime minister. The panel includes the political editor of the Financial Times George Parker, the editor of The Spectator Fraser Nelson and Catherine Haddon from the Institute for Government. There is also an interview with former chancellor Lord Hammond, which was recorded before the Queen's death.
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-07-23 11:30:00
Top commentators review the political week
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-07-16 11:30:00
George Parker of the Financial Times is joined by Foreign Office minister Vicky Ford MP and former Home Office minister Rachel McClean MP to review the first full week of the Conservative leadership campaign. With most of the leadership contenders promising big upfront tax cuts, former Chancellor Lord Lamont and head of Bloomberg Economics Stephanie Flanders discuss how realistic their plans are. Former Labour cabinet minister, Lord Mandelson, looks at where Boris Johnson's departure leaves Labour. And former Conservative MPs, Anna Soubry, who left the party in 2019, and broadcaster Gyles Brandreth discuss how to woo the Tory grassroots.
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-07-09 11:30:00
Ben Wright and guests reflect on a dramatic week in Westminster following Boris Johnson's announcement that he will resign as Prime Minister. The panel includes the political commentator Steve Richards, Isabel Hardman, Assistant Editor at the Spectator and Matthew Goodwin, Professor of Politics at the University of Kent. There is also an interview with Lord Evans, the chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life. Editor: Peter Snowdon
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-07-02 11:30:00
Pippa Crerar of the Daily Mirror discusses the war in Ukraine and the implications for UK defence spending with the chair of RUSI, and former de facto Deputy Prime Minister, Sir David Lidington, and the Director of the Institute for Government, Bronwen Maddox. The SNP's Deputy Westminster leader, Kirsten Oswald MP, and The Spectator's Scotland Editor, Alex Massie, analyse Nicola Sturgeon's announcement about a future independence referendum in Scotland. Ian Todd, chief executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, discusses why there are ongoing misconceptions about MPs' pay and expenses. And, following a stunning victory in the Tiverton and Honiton by-election, Pippa brings together Polly Mackenzie and Sean Kemp, two former Liberal Democrat advisers, to ask if the party is back in business.
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-06-24 18:50:00
Top commentators review the political week
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-06-18 11:00:00
Top commentators review the political week
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-06-11 11:00:00
Isabel Hardman from The Spectator reviews an eventful week in Westminster. She's joined by the former Conservative Party Chairman, Lord Baker, and the Conservative MP Danny Kruger to discuss how long Boris Johnson can survive after the vote of confidence earlier this week. Polly Neate, Chief Executive of the housing charity Shelter and Robert Colville from the Centre Policy Studies debate the Prime Minister's announcement to extend the right to buy to housing association tenants. Labour's Rachael Maskell and the former Conservative Transport Secretary Lord McLoughlin discuss the impact of the planned rail strikes. The former Conservative minister Lord Vaizey and the shadow science minister Chi Onwurah consider the uncertainty over the UK's membership of the EU's Horizon programme.
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-05-28 11:30:00
Top commentators review the political week.
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-05-21 11:30:00
BBC Political Correspondent Ben Wright is joined by Conservative MP Kevin Hollinrake and Labour MP Dame Angela Eagle to discuss the cost of living crisis and partygate. Former Head of the Army and crossbench peer Lord Dannatt analyses whether Ukraine is winning the war with Russia. Looking at the latest on the restoration and renewal of Parliament is Dr Hannah White of The Institute for Government, former Leader of the Commons Dame Andrea Leadsom and non-affiliated peer Lord Austin. And the government's former Chief Brexit negotiator and former Brexit minister, Lord Frost, discusses the Northern Ireland protocol and the current diplomatic tension with the EU.
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-05-14 11:30:00
George Parker of the Financial Times is joined by the former chief whip and Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith MP and the Labour leader in the Lords, Angela Smith, who also speaks on Northern Ireland to discuss the Queen's Speech and rising tensions over post-Brexit trading arrangements in Northern Ireland. The former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick MP discusses the housing crisis and planning reform. Should there be a deal between the Liberal Democrats and Labour is debated by Labour MP for Exeter, Ben Bradshaw and Baroness Olly Grender, who runs the Lib Dem communications operation and has advised successive party leaders, including Paddy Ashdown. And as Chris Mason takes up his new job as BBC political editor, Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby and former ITN political editor John Sergeant look at the shifting demands of such a high profile role.
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-05-07 11:48:00
Top commentators review the political week
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-04-30 11:30:00
Pippa Crerar of the Daily Mirror is joined by the former Leader of the House of Commons, Dame Andrea Leadsom MP, and Pete Wishart MP from the SNP to discuss the role of the independent panel set up to deal with sexism and harrassment in Parliament. Following a speech by the Foreign Secretary Liz Truss about the West's response to the war in Ukraine, the Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy MP and the Conservative MP Alicia Kearns MP debate Britain's place in the world. The Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Cramer discusses efforts to strenghten to protect whistleblowers. With only days to go before local elections in England, Scotland and Wales and elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont, the Conservative peer and polling expert Lord Hayward and Professor Rosie Campbell from Kings College London preview what the results will mean for the parties. Producer: Peter Snowdon
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-04-23 11:30:00
Top commentators review the political week
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-04-02 11:30:00
Top commentators review the political week
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-03-26 11:02:00
Paul Waugh from the i newspaper is joined by former secretary-general of NATO, Lord George Robertson to assess the Ukraine war and NATO's response. The Chancellor's spring statement is debated by two former Treasury ministers, Conservative MP Jesse Norman and Labour MP Angela Eagle. The chair of the Transport Select Committee, Conservative MP Huw Merriman and the general secretary of the Trades Union Congress Frances O'Grady discuss P&O Ferries and the no-notice sackings of 800 staff. And the director of the Conservative Environment Network Sam Hall and Times columnist Rachel Sylvester discuss Conservative party tensions over the green agenda and how to reach net zero.
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-03-19 11:02:00
Ben Wright is joined by former foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt MP to assess the Ukraine war and the release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. The plight of the Ukrainian refugees is discussed by the Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey MP who visited the Ukraine-Poland border this week and the Conservative peer, Baroness Arminka Helic who came to the the UK in the 1990s as a refugee from the Bosnian war. Labour peer, Lord David Blunkett and Merryn Somerset Webb, editor-in-chief of Moneyweek debate whether Britain is heading back to the sort of economic turmoil last seen in the 1970s. And the chairman of the Association of Conservative peers, Lord Michael Forsyth and Director of the Constitution Unit at UCL, Professor Meg Russell look at House of Lords appointments.
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-03-12 11:30:00
The Ukraine war with the Conservative former defence secretary Dr Liam Fox and Labour's Nia Griffith. Britain's economic outlook and cost of living crisis, with The Resolution Foundation's Torsten Bell and crossbench peer Baroness Wheatcroft. Fracking and the direction of the Conservative government, with the former cabinet minister Lord Frost. Do MPs deserve a pay rise? Parliament's longest serving MP Sir Peter Bottomley and Professor Rosie Campbell discuss.
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-03-05 11:30:00
Radio 4's assessment of developments at Westminster
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-02-26 11:30:00
Radio 4's assessment of developments at Westminster
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-02-12 11:29:00
Radio 4's assessment of developments at Westminster
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-02-05 11:30:00
Radio 4's assessment of developments at Westminster
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-01-29 11:30:00
Paul Waugh of The i paper is joined by Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh and Labour MP Dame Margaret Beckett to discuss allegations of rule-breaking parties in Downing Street and what they mean for the Prime Minister's future. Former Cabinet Secretary Lord Butler assesses the role of civil service inquiries in determining Prime Ministerial fates. Dr Hannah White of The Institute for Government discusses whether the so-called 'partygate' row is symptomatic of a wider political problem. And two veteran political journalists - Michael Crick and Libby Wiener - debate political resignations and where this crisis will end up.
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-01-22 11:30:00
Radio 4's assessment of developments at Westminster
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-01-15 11:30:00
As the Prime Minister deals with allegations of rule-breaking parties in Downing Street, the Daily Mirror's Political Editor Pippa Crerar is joined by former Justice Secretary Robert Buckland and Labour's leader in the Lords Angela Smith. The former Chief Constable of Durham, Mike Barton, gives his view on whether the Metropolitan Police should investigate the Number Ten parties. Kirsty Buchanan, who used to work for Liz Truss, analyses how the Foreign Secretary will approach the Brexit talks with the EU. And former Cabinet minister, Justine Greening, and director of the Centre for Policy Studies, Robert Colville, discuss what it means to be a Tory today.
From The Week in Westminster at 2022-01-08 11:29:00
Assistant Editor of the Spectator Isabel Hardman interviews Lord Mandelson, and presents discussions on: NHS resilience, with Dame Una O’Brien, permanent secretary at the Department of Health 2010-2016 and Dr Kieran Mullan MP, Conservative and A&E doctor. The cost of living, with Stephen McPartland MP, Conservative and Torsten Bell, Chief Executive of the Resolution Foundation. And how to be an effective committee chair, with Dame Diana Johnson MP, new Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee and Robert Halfon MP, Chair of the Education Select Committee.
From The Week in Westminster at 2021-12-18 11:30:00
Radio 4's assessment of developments at Westminster
From The Week in Westminster at 2021-12-11 11:30:00
Financial Times' political editor, George Parker, speaks to former Conservative chief whip, Mark Harper, and Shadow Commons leader, Thangam Debbonaire, about the Prime Minister's difficult week and next week's vote on new Covid restrictions. In what was meant to be the Government's crime week, the former Conservative Lord Chancellor, Ken Clarke, gives his view on the Government's predicament and its new policies on prisons and drugs. Conservative MP, Alicia Kearns, and the Director of the Institute for Government, Bronwen Maddox, debate whether the Foreign Office is fit for purpose following revelations this week about the evacuation of Kabul. And Labour peer, Lord Grocott, discusses his latest attempt to do away with hereditary peers in the House of Lords with Charles Courtenay, the 19th Earl of Devon.
From The Week in Westminster at 2021-12-04 11:30:00
BBC Political Correspondent Ben Wright discusses the government's response to Omicron with Conservative MP Steve Brine and SNP MP Philippa Whitford, Anglo-French relations with former UK Ambassador to France Lord Ricketts, the role of Twitter in politics with Conservative MP Flick Drummond and the Chairman of the Committee on Standards, Chris Bryant MP, and music streaming and copyright with Labour MP Kevin Brennan.
From The Week in Westminster at 2021-11-27 11:29:00
Pippa Crerar, political editor of the Daily Mirror, presents, with discussions on migrants, with Baroness Kate Hoey, non-affiliated peer, and Nando Sigona, professor of International Migration and Forced Displacement, University of Birmingham. The role of the Treasury, with David Gauke, former Cabinet minister, and Angela Eagle MP, former Treasury minister. Boris Johnson's fortunes, with Lord Robert Hayward, Conservative peer and political analyst, and Paula Surridge, senior lecturer in political sociology, University of Bristol. Also, we have an interview with environment minister Lord Zac Goldsmith.
From The Week in Westminster at 2021-11-20 11:30:00
The Spectator's Isabel Hardman looks back over a turbulent week in politics - including more developments in the row over parliamentary standards, and a big announcement on rail. And with calls for the Prime Minister to apologise for his handling of the Owen Paterson affair, she discusses whether politicians should ever say sorry.
From The Week in Westminster at 2021-11-13 11:30:00
Steve Richards discusses the controversy over parliamentary standards and MPs' outside interests with a panel of seasoned political journalists: Jack Blanchard, UK Politics Editor of Politico; Pippa Crerar - political editor of the Daily Mirror; and Ben Riley-Smith - political editor of the Daily Telegraph.
From The Week in Westminster at 2021-11-06 11:30:00
Presented by Paul Waugh of iNews. This weekend we discuss: Standards, with Robert Buckland MP, former justice secretary, and Kezia Dugdale, director of Glasgow University's John Smith Centre for Positive Politics and former leader of the Scottish Labour Party, An Interview with Tammy Banks, a lay member on the Commons Committee on Standards on what the role involves, COP26, with: Baroness Natalie Bennett, former Green Party leader and Baroness Brown, crossbench peer and chair of the Adaptation Committee at the Climate Change Committee, What Summits of World Leaders are Really Like, with: Tom Fletcher, a former diplomat and No. 10 foreign policy adviser under Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron, and Katie Perrior, director of communications to Theresa May at No. 10 and former aide to Boris Johnson when he was mayor of London.
From The Week in Westminster at 2021-10-30 11:29:00
MPs packed the benches in Westminster this week as Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered his Budget and Spending Review. Anne McElvoy and guests discuss the outlook for the UK economy and the politics behind Mr Sunak's big decisions. We hear why some millionaires are clamouring to pay more tax. On the eve of the COP 26 summit in Glasgow, how do voters view the climate emergency and are they ready to change their behaviour to meet tough net zero emissions targets? And - socks and sliders, dogs on sofas - we discuss the power of a picture for up and coming politicians.
From The Week in Westminster at 2021-10-23 11:30:00
Radio 4's assessment of developments at Westminster
From The Week in Westminster at 2021-09-25 11:29:00
Former UK Ambassador to the US Lord Kim Darroch and the former US Ambassador to the UK Matthew Barzun reflect on the Prime Minister's trip to America and UK-US relations. Conservative peer and co-architect of Universal Credit, Baroness Philippa Stroud, discusses why the increase given to recipients during the pandemic needs to remain. Ahead of the Labour Party conference, Labour MP Dame Margaret Beckett and Simon Fletcher, former adviser to both Jeremy Corbyn and Keir Starmer, discuss the challenges facing the Labour leader. Former permanent secretary at the Department for Exiting the European Union Philip Rycroft and Seb Payne, Whitehall Editor for the Financial Times, discuss the new Levelling Up Department.
From The Week in Westminster at 2021-09-18 11:02:00
After Boris Johnson's long-awaited reshuffle Christopher Hope of the Daily Telegraph looks back at the week in Westminster. Conservative MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown and Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran discuss the Government's Covid winter plan. Former Cabinet minister Liam Fox, who chairs the new Conservative Friends of America group, discusses the special relationship and the new tri-lateral security partnership between the UK, US and Australia. Katy Balls of The Spectator and Catherine Haddon of The Institute for Government dissect the reshuffle. And the former General Secretary of Unite, Len McCluskey, discusses his autobiography and the prospects for Keir Starmer's Labour.
From The Week in Westminster at 2021-09-11 11:30:00
Radio 4's assessment of developments at Westminster, presented by the Financial Times' George Parker. This weekend we discuss: health and social care plans with Lord Nick MacPherson, permanent secretary at the Treasury 2005-2016 and Laura Trott MP, member of the Health and Social Care Select Committee. The twentieth anniversary of 9/11 with Lord George Robertson, secretary general of NATO 1999-2004 and Bronwen Maddox, now director of the Institute for Government who was foreign editor at The Times on 9/11. The Environment Bill in the House of Lords with Stanley Johnson, international ambassador of the Conservative Environmental Network. And the state of British politics with Anoosh Chakelian, Britain editor of the New Statesman, and Lucy Fisher, deputy political editor of The Telegraph.
From The Week in Westminster at 2021-07-24 11:30:00
Steve Richards looks back at the political year with Fraser Nelson of The Spectator, Pippa Crerar of The Daily Mirror and George Parker of The Financial Times.
From The Week in Westminster at 2021-07-17 11:30:00
Radio 4's assessment of developments at Westminster. This weekend we discuss: Racism with Shaun Bailey AM, Conservative London Assembly member, and Sunder Katwala, director of British Future. Covid-19 with Greg Clark MP, chair of Science and Technology Select Committee and Professor Sir Mark Walport, former government chief scientific advisor. Planning reforms with Theresa Villiers MP and Anya Martin, director of Priced Out housing We also interview Kim Leadbeater MP, new Labour MP for Batley and Spen.
From The Week in Westminster at 2021-07-10 11:32:00
Conservative MP Mark Harper and Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran discuss the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions. Crossbench peer and former Head of David Cameron's policy unit in Number 10 Camilla Cavendish joins Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation, to explore the challenges facing the NHS. Labour MP Chris Bryant and Conservative MP Alec Shelbrooke discuss the repeal of the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act. And, as the England team prepares to play in the Euro 2020 final, Stewart Wood, Labour peer and a former adviser to Number 10 and Jo Tanner, former adviser to Boris Johnson when he was Mayor of London, talk about football and politics.
From The Week in Westminster at 2021-07-03 11:30:00
Radio 4's assessment of developments at Westminster
From The Week in Westminster at 2021-06-26 11:29:00
Following newspaper revelations about Health Secretary Matt Hancock Isabel Hardman of The Spectator speaks to Sunday Times correspondent Gabriel Pogrund. Former Communities Secretary Eric Pickles discusses the Government's proposed planning reforms. Former Labour MP and prominent Leave campaigner Gisela Stuart reflects on five years since the EU referendum. Award-winning journalist John Harris and former Labour MP Caroline Flint discuss the shifting political landscape since the referendum. And, as rows about government spending begin to surface, George Osborne's former Parliamentary Private Secretary, Rob Wilson, and Margaret Thatcher's former private secretary, Caroline Slocock, talk about the relationship between Prime Ministers and their Chancellors.