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Parliament Matters

Hansard Society
Parliament
Assisted Dying Bill
House Of Lords
Assisted Dying
Labour Party
House Of Commons
Conservative Party
UK Parliament
Keir Starmer
Terminally Ill Adults End Of Life Bill
Brexit
Public Bill Committee
Rwanda Bill
Hansard Society
Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
Legislation
Palliative Care
Termally Ill Adults End Of Life Bill
UK Politics
Donald Trump

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, look... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes158Founded3 years ago
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GovernmentNewsPolitics

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Latest Episodes

Andy Burnham made his despatch box debut as Prime Minister in the House of Commons this week with one of the longest ministerial statements on record and a promise to strengthen the Prime Minister’s grip on Whitehall while transferring power and reso... more

YouTube

Joanna Cherry joins us this week to discuss her newly published memoir, in which she looks back on some of the most contentious battles in British and Scottish politics in the last two decades.

She arrived at Westminster in 2015 as one of 56 SNP MP... more

YouTube

Canada’s Parliament shares its Westminster roots with the UK, but it has developed its own distinctive traditions, procedures and political culture. In this episode, Charlie Feldman – former President of the Canadian Study of Parliament Group and aut... more

YouTube

Andy Burnham has unveiled his ministerial team. So, we assess what his appointments reveal about the Government’s priorities, the political calculations behind them, and the parliamentary tests that lie ahead.

We begin with the appointment of the n... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Joanna Cherry
Former SNP MP, author of Keeping the Dream Alive
SNP
Episode: Joanna Cherry: The SNP, Westminster, and a decade of political battles
Charlie Feldman
Author of Unparliamentary, Tales from Canada's Colourful Parliamentary Past
Author, Unparliamentary
Episode: Unparliamentary: Colourful tales from the Canadian Parliament
John Davis
Professor of Government at King's College London
King's College London
Episode: Labour’s last chance saloon? Burnham’s new Cabinet faces familiar parliamentary problems
Robert Buckland
Former Lord Chancellor, MP for 16 years
Parliamentary politics
Episode: How do we protect politicians in a dangerous age?
Diane Hayter
Baroness Hayter, Labour peer
House of Lords
Episode: New PM, new Clerk of the House of Commons: A new chapter at Westminster?
Duncan Hames
Director of UK Policy at Transparency International
Transparency International
Episode: The £5m question: Who funds our politicians?
Sir Jeremy Wright
Conservative MP, Senior MP on the Intelligence and Security Committee
House of Commons
Episode: Is the Government censoring the Mandelson Papers?
Meg Russell
Constitutional expert
Constitution Unit, University College London
Episode: Labour’s leadership tangle: What does it mean for Parliament?
Tony Grew
Parliamentary journalist, Parley feed on X
Parley/Parley feed
Episode: Keir Starmer’s week of parliamentary torture over Mandelson appointment

Hosts

Ruth Fox
Host of Parliament Matters
Mark D'Arcy
Co-host of Parliament Matters, parliamentary expert

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 198 ratings
  • Assisted dying

    Stop wasting time put it through then do it on an individual basis . The case can then be looked at and decided on

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Morphine!’
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • Making Procedure Sexy Again!

    So much commentary glosses over the nitty gritty of how political decisions are made, probably in the grounds that procedure is dull and boring. But this show boldly embraces the procedural: it’s informative, easy to listen to, warm and still detailed. Concepts are clearly explained but a generous peppering of (often amusing) illustrative anecdotes keeps the content engaging. You’ll get a better understanding o f what’s going on in Westminster from one episode of this than 10 of your usual (even... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Timnick00
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • A must listen

    A Must-Listen for Political Enthusiasts!

    Parliament Matters is a smart, engaging, and accessible podcast that brings clarity to the often complex world of UK politics. The hosts strike a perfect balance between insight and analysis, making even the most intricate parliamentary procedures feel relevant and understandable. Whether you’re a seasoned political follower or just curious about how government really works, this podcast is a valuable and refreshing listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LisasBeautySpot
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Steel and Papacy

    Excellent discussion of the problems with the ‘emergency’ steel legislation…but sadly followed by a somewhat obvious mistake, saying that Pope Benedict XVI was not a head of state, Vatican City may be small and unusual but is a sovereign state, and his visit was a State visit.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    T.J.Sacer
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Peerless

    There is literally no other podcast like this. Refreshingly focussed, I’ve learned so much about Parliamentary processes since I’ve started listening. Much more entertaining and understandable than Erskine May.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    C. O. Wisconsin
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Very clear explanations of complex procedures; entertaining hosts without sacrificing rigor.
Insightful guests who bring credible expertise to constitutional questions.
Polished, accessible, and deeply informed—great for understanding parliamentary mechanics.
A refreshing, non-sensational take on Westminster politics that still feels current.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#9
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#46
Italy/Government
Apple Podcasts
#54
Australia/Government
Apple Podcasts
#11
South Korea/Government
Apple Podcasts
#17
Israel/Government
Apple Podcasts
#29
Hong Kong/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Joanna Cherry: The SNP, Westminster, and a decade of political battles
Q: What made the Supreme Court case against prorogation so significant, and how did it unfold across cross-party lines?
She explains the tactical choice of litigating in Scotland, the cross-party coalition of petitioners, and how the case affirmed the need for Parliament to be able to scrutinise the executive, with broad support across parties despite initial skepticism from some rivals.
Joanna Cherry: The SNP, Westminster, and a decade of political battles
Q: And Jo, what would that Plan B look like if Westminster wouldn't grant a referendum?
She outlines a strategy involving using the 2024 election as a de facto referendum and pursuing legal and political avenues beyond a section 30 order, arguing for a more proactive, cross-party approach to securing Scotland's independence.
New PM, new Clerk of the House of Commons: A new chapter at Westminster?
Q: What is Eve Samson's background and why is her appointment significant?
She has a long procedural focus as clerk of the journals and would be the first female clerk of the House of Commons, bringing deep experience with procedure and privilege to the top role, which is historically the most senior constitutional advisory position in Parliament.
Who really decides Immigration Rules: Parliament or the Home Secretary?
Q: What recourse do Parliament and MPs have to challenge or amend these rule changes?
Parliament has a disapproval mechanism under the 1971 Act, but disapproval does not automatically block the changes; ministers are then expected to address concerns in a subsequent statement of changes, and actual scrutiny in both Houses remains limited.
Who really decides Immigration Rules: Parliament or the Home Secretary?
Q: What is the scale of these immigration rule changes and how are they implemented?
The changes are described as among the largest in a generation and largely implemented through statements of changes to immigration rules, not through new primary legislation, with significant effects on refugees and settlement timelines.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Parliament Matters

What is Parliament Matters about and what kind of topics does it cover?

- A rigorous UK parliamentary analysis show where two hosts break down how laws are made, how ministers are held to account, and how Westminster works in practice. Episodes mix deep procedural explanations with timely debates, historical context, and sharp commentary on current political events, making complex processes accessible to a policy-minded audience.

- Notable for its calm, expert-driven approach, clear explanations of parliamentary procedure, and a willingness to question official narratives while drawing on scholarly and practitioner insights. The show frequently features guests with hands-on experience or academic expertise to illuminate the machinery of government, accountability, and constitution-building. Potential listeners... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Parliament Matters?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Parliament Matters:

1. Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government
2. Not Another One
3. Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards
4. The Politics Show
5. The News Agents

How many episodes of Parliament Matters are there?

Parliament Matters launched 3 years ago and published 158 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Parliament Matters?

Recent guests on Parliament Matters include:

1. Joanna Cherry
2. Charlie Feldman
3. John Davis
4. Robert Buckland
5. Diane Hayter
6. Duncan Hames
7. Sir Jeremy Wright
8. Meg Russell

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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