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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
Donald Trump
Rishi Sunak

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 weeklyEpisodes146Founded3 years ago
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Artwork for Parliament Matters

Latest Episodes

The row over Lord Mandelson’s appointment as Britain’s ambassador to Washington flared up again this week after the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) accused the Government of improperly redacting documents linked to his appointment. Back in ... more

A battle for Downing Street touched off by a ministerial resignation, a chunky new King’s Speech, and an increasingly unpredictable political environment provide plenty for us to discuss with our special guest, Professor Meg Russell, the former Direc... more

YouTube

After an awful set of elections for Labour across England, Scotland and Wales, are the Prime Minister’s days numbered? Could the Cabinet revolt? Might a rival formally launch a leadership challenge? Or might it take another defining crisis – a furthe... more

YouTube

Keir Starmer has faced “ordeal by Parliament” this week. A tense statement in the House of Commons over his handling of Peter Mandleson’s nomination as Ambassador to the United States was followed by an emergency debate and then an awkward session of... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Tony Grew
Parliamentary journalist, Parley feed on X
Parley/Parley feed
Episode: Keir Starmer’s week of parliamentary torture over Mandelson appointment
Jonathan Featonby
Representative, Refugee Council
Refugee Council
Episode: Who really decides Immigration Rules: Parliament or the Home Secretary?
Peter Prinsley
Member of Parliament
House of Commons
Episode: Who really decides Immigration Rules: Parliament or the Home Secretary?
Ken Macdonald
Former Director of Public Prosecutions (Ken Macdonald of River Glavin)
Law and Politics podcast, Double Jeopardy (co-presenter)
Episode: Jury trials under threat? The Courts and Tribunals Bill explained
Mark Harper
Lord Harper, peer involved in debates over the bill
House of Lords (Conservative peer)
Episode: Is the assisted dying bill being filibustered?
Tom Tugendhat
Former Security Minister
MP, Conservative Party
Episode: Mandelson, Andrew and Epstein: Should there be parliamentary committee of inquiry?
Nan Sloane
Historian and author of a biography on Margaret Bondfield
Episode: The forgotten pioneer: Who was Margaret Bondfield, Britain’s first female Cabinet Minister?
Neil Duncan-Jordan
Labour MP for Poole and a serial rebel in Parliament.
Labour Party
Episode: What happens when you lose the party whip?
Jayne Kirkham
Labour MP for Falmouth and Truro, involved in the Armed Forces Bill
Episode: Why MPs can’t just quit: The curious case of the Chiltern Hundreds

Hosts

Ruth Fox
Director of the Hansard Society and a knowledgeable host focusing on the intricacies of parliamentary processes.
Mark D'Arcy
Former BBC parliamentary correspondent, co-host providing expert analysis on current parliamentary happenings and their relevance to broader political discourse.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 183 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 Kingdom2 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 Kingdom9 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 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.

The hosts are recognized for their expert knowledge and amiable presentation style, which enhances the enjoyment of political discussions.
Listeners praise the show for its clear and engaging coverage of parliamentary processes, making complex topics accessible to all.
Many reviews highlight the strong focus on procedural integrity and parliamentary accountability as distinguishing features of the content.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#19
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#164
Canada/Government
Apple Podcasts
#109
Australia/Government
Apple Podcasts
#189
Germany/Government
Apple Podcasts
#216
France/Government
Apple Podcasts
#24
South Korea/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Mandelson, Andrew and Epstein: Should there be parliamentary committee of inquiry?
Q: What we'd like to do is explore what this committee would do, how it would work, who'd be on it and why the existing set of select committees isn't necessarily the right thing for this particular case.
Tugendhat outlines a plan for a broad, joint committee with cross-party representation, data access, and public questioning to investigate the Mandelson-Mountbatten-Windsor affair and broader governance issues; he argues that a traditional select committee framework may be insufficient for such a nuanced, high-profile constitutional matter.
What happens when you lose the party whip?
Q: Why does Neil Duncan-Jordan think Keir Starmer should step down?
Because polling indicates Starmer's unpopularity could jeopardize the Labour Party's chances of winning.
What happens when you lose the party whip?
Q: What was Neil Duncan-Jordan's reaction to the winter fuel allowance changes?
He abstained from voting on the changes, believing it was wrong and electorally disastrous.

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 comprehensive exploration of the intricacies of UK parliamentary processes, featuring two seasoned experts who navigate the current political landscape while shedding light on historical contexts. Frequent discussions focus on the making of laws and ministerial accountability, with topical analyses of significant issues such as party dynamics, electoral integrity, and the nuances of parliamentary reforms. Unique for its focus on procedure as well as political drama, the content is likely to be valuable for both political enthusiasts and those seeking clarity on how governance functions at the heart of democracy. Engaging discussions often include historical references and prominent figures in politics, making the complexity of Parliament ... 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. Westminster Insider
3. Politics Unpacked
4. The Week in Westminster
5. Political Currency

How many episodes of Parliament Matters are there?

Parliament Matters launched 3 years ago and published 146 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. Tony Grew
2. Jonathan Featonby
3. Peter Prinsley
4. Ken Macdonald
5. Mark Harper
6. Tom Tugendhat
7. Nan Sloane
8. Neil Duncan-Jordan

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