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Parliament Matters

Hansard Society
House Of Commons
Parliament
Rwanda Bill
Conservative Party
Adjournment Debate
Boris Johnson
House Of Lords
UK Politics
Mps
Rishi Sunak
Gaza
UK Parliament
Data Protection and Digital Information Bill
Parly
Legislation
Social Media
Diane Abbott
Liz Truss
Bank Of England
DUPMP

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes132Founded2 years ago
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Artwork for Parliament Matters

Latest Episodes

This week we explore one of Westminster’s strangest constitutional hangovers: why MPs can’t simply resign. With the Gorton and Denton by-election triggered by Andrew Gwynne’s departure, listeners asked the obvious question – why the medieval-sounding... more

The assisted dying bill – properly known as the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill – is facing an extraordinary procedural logjam in the House of Lords. More than 1,170 amendments remain to be debated, organised into 89 groups for debate, yet o... more

YouTube

In this episode, we ask whether MPs who switch parties should be forced to face a by-election – and what this month’s spate of defections says about representation, party power and voter consent. We also unpick a dizzying week in British and global p... more

YouTube

What are MPs actually paid and what does the public fund to help them do their job? In this conversation with Richard Lloyd, chair of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) we explore the delicate balance between supporting MPs to d... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Richard Lloyd
Chair of IPSA
Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority
Episode: Who really sets MPs’ pay – And why you might be wrong about it
Bob Blackman
Chairman of the Backbench Business Committee and Conservative MP
House of Commons
Episode: Kemi’s pre-emptive strike on Robert Jenrick
Valentine Low
Former Royal Correspondent of The Times and author of "Power and the Palace"
The Times
Episode: The King and Parliament: The relationship between politics and the royals
Robert Saunders
Political expert and lecturer at Queen Mary University of London
Queen Mary University of London
Episode: Is being Prime Minister an impossible job?
Valentine Lowe
Royal correspondent discussing his new book
Episode: What's coming up over the Christmas/New Year recess
John Pullinger
Chair of the Electoral Commission discussing electoral systems
Episode: What's coming up over the Christmas/New Year recess
Ellie Chowns
Westminster leader of the Greens with insights on new MP experiences
Episode: What's coming up over the Christmas/New Year recess
Lord Goldsmith
Former Labour Attorney General and chair of the Lords International Agreements Committee
House of Lords
Episode: Where are the Reform UK peers?
Alistair Clark
Professor of Political Science at Newcastle University
Newcastle University
Episode: 2024: The year our party system finally broke?

Hosts

Ruth Fox
Co-host and parliamentary expert, Director of the Hansard Society, with extensive knowledge of Parliament's inner workings.
Mark D'Arcy
Co-host and former BBC parliamentary correspondent with deep insights into political issues and parliamentary matters.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 173 ratings
  • 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 Kingdom6 months 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 Kingdom9 months 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 Kingdom9 months 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 Kingdom10 months ago
  • Amazing Discussions

    Found this podcast by accident, have really enjoyed the discussions about subjects. Really fascinating to hear about the why of political stories behind the drama. Entertaining hosts distilling subjects. Mark’s quips make me smile. Keep up the good work

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    whiten66
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the unique focus on parliamentary procedures, which isn't commonly addressed in other political podcasts.
Guests add depth to discussions, aligning well with the show's aim of educating listeners about governance.
Hosts are knowledgeable and engaging, making complex topics accessible to a wider audience.
A strong recommendation for those who wish to understand the intricacies of parliamentary functions.
Informative and detailed insights into UK politics that go beyond surface-level analysis.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#6
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#59
Finland/Government
Apple Podcasts
#64
Ireland/Government
Apple Podcasts
#65
South Korea/Government
Apple Podcasts
#69
Israel/Government
Apple Podcasts
#72
Belgium/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Who really sets MPs’ pay – And why you might be wrong about it
Q: Is it better for Parliament to have people who have another career and who may go back to that after they've been an MP?
There are mixed opinions, and Parliament is currently considering the impact of having MPs with dual careers on the effectiveness of governance.
Who really sets MPs’ pay – And why you might be wrong about it
Q: Is this now a more harmonious relationship?
There has been a noticeable improvement in the relationship between IPSA and MPs, with compliance rates increasing.
Who really sets MPs’ pay – And why you might be wrong about it
Q: How have the rules changed on that?
IPSA put in tough rules regarding claims for MPs' housing costs, removing the ability to claim mortgage payments and establishing strict budgetary limits.
Are UK elections under threat?
Q: How do you view the relationship between the Electoral Commission and social media platforms regarding election integrity?
While there have been good relationships, more needs to be done to tackle the proliferation of misinformation and ensure compliance with existing laws.
Are UK elections under threat?
Q: What is your view on the current state of online campaigning and its implications for regulation?
There's a need for a more holistic view that includes the regulation of online campaigning and a unified approach to candidate and party financing.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Parliament Matters

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

This podcast offers an analytical perspective on the intricacies of the UK Parliament, led by two experienced hosts who bring their expertise to navigating the often convoluted workings of political processes. Each episode tackles significant themes surrounding government accountability, the legislative process, and current political events, while also providing historical context and academic insights into democratic norms. The discussions range from budgetary challenges and political dynamics to the nuances of parliamentary procedures, making the content accessible and engaging for a diverse audience. Notably, this podcast stands out due to its in-depth examination of procedural matters in a way that demystifies politics for listeners, re... more

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How many listeners does Parliament Matters get?

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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. The Week in Westminster
3. How To Win An Election
4. Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards
5. Daily Politics from the New Statesman

How many episodes of Parliament Matters are there?

Parliament Matters launched 2 years ago and published 132 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Parliament Matters?

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What guests have appeared on Parliament Matters?

Recent guests on Parliament Matters include:

1. Richard Lloyd
2. Bob Blackman
3. Valentine Low
4. Robert Saunders
5. Valentine Lowe
6. John Pullinger
7. Ellie Chowns
8. Lord Goldsmith

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