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Armando Iannucci: Is it time to reform parliament's arcane rules and rituals? | Westminster Reimagined
The legendary writer, satirist and broadcaster Armando Iannucci returns to the New Statesman podcast to co-host five more special episodes. In these shows, Iannucci explores parts of British public life he believes to be broken, and is joined by guests from both inside and outside Westminster to discuss how politics could be better.
In this episode, Armando and Ailbhe Rea examine the place we make laws: parliament. Is it an old boys’ club, designed to exclude normal people from being able to make sense of it?
They are joined by special guests Anum Qaisar, the SNP’s newest Westminster MP, who won the Airdrie and Shotts by-election in 2021, and Emma Crewe, a professor of anthropology at SOAS who has studied the workings of the House of Commons and House of Lords.
They talk about how parliament can be hard to navigate, what’s prevented it from evolving into a modern, 21st-century legislature and why it’s still a tough place for MPs from non-traditional backgrounds.
Podcast listeners can subscribe to the New Statesman for just £1 a week for 12 weeks using our special offer. Just visit newstatesman.com/podcastoffer.
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Is the Labour party having an ideological crisis?
28:43|Morgan McSweeney – Keir Starmer’s closest aide and confidante – has left the Number 10 operation.Our editor-in-chief Tom McTague asks, is it the beginning of the end for the Prime Minister – or the end of the beginning?He speaks to deputy editor Will Lloyd.
Keir Starmer is safe - but for how long?
27:49|For days and weeks Westminster has been quivering with anticipation at the prospect of yet another prime ministerial resignation and leadership election.But following the resignation of Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney in the wake of the Mandelson scandal, MPs appear to have closed ranks, rallying around Keir Starmer.So, no leadership election, at least for now. But are his supportive MPs shoring up the PM - or just biding their time?And can British politics ever break its addiction to psychodrama?
Starmer's top two aides quit
23:11|Less than 24 hours after Starmer's chief of staff Morgan McSweeney resigned, Tim Allan, director of communications, has quit. Is this a rutheless clearout by the PM, or signs of an entire system collapse? Ailbhe Rea joins Anoosh Chakelian.
Elon Musk asked to attend Epstein's "wildest party"
37:45|Elon Musk’s Epstein lies, Draco Malfoy as a Chinese mascot and two Reform MPs “accidentally” voting to scrap the two child benefit cap.Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn explore their stories of the week.Including the woman who just can’t stop stealing chocolate…
What did Starmer already know about Mandelson and Epstein?
38:03|The Labour government is fighting for its life as the Peter Mandelson scandal continues to unfold. Yesterday, Keir Starmer apologised for believing Mandelson's "lies" and appointing him as US ambassador when his friendship with the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein was public knowledge.Now, senior government figures are preparing to hand over private messages between Mandelson and Starmer’s top team. Editor Tom McTague is joined by Jim Pickard, deputy political editor at the Financial Times, whose reporting cracked open this shocking story.
Labour MPs are turning on Starmer over Mandelson
18:30|Keir Starmer has been grilled in the Commons on his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, despite knowing his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein continued after the financier’s conviction in 2008.Starmer pledged to release the vetting documents relating to Mandelson’s appointment, but argued that some details would need to be redacted on national security grounds.This angered backbench MPs who, along with former deputy leader Angela Rayner, forced the PM into another humiliating climb down. Will anger in the party force Keir Starmer out?Anoosh Chakelian is joined by political correspondent Megan Kenyon.
Will Mandelson be Starmer's downfall?
25:21|Keir Starmer knew about Peter Mandelson's friendship with the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein – but still appointed him US ambassador.After a bruising Prime Minister's Questions for Keir Starmer, Ailbhe Rea joins Anoosh Chakelian to discuss whether the Mandelson affair could be the downfall of the Prime Minister – or his closest aide, Morgan McSweeney, who championed Mandelson.Ailbhe shares her exclusive reporting on the process which led to Mandelson's appointment, and the impact this scandal will have on the Labour Party and the Prime Minister.READThe Mandelson Affair: inside the scandal of a century
Mandelson’s leaks to Epstein “a disgrace”
35:47|On Friday, the US Justice Department released millions of pages of the Epstein files.Dan Neidle, journalist and tax lawyer, used his investigative skills to uncover some of the most controversial details. In particular, damning emails suggesting ex-Labour business secretary Peter Mandelson shared highly sensitive UK government tax plans with Jeffrey Epstein. Dan joins Oli Dugmore to discuss.
Revealed: Jeffrey Epstein's direct line to Downing St
26:29|Peter Mandelson has resigned from the Labour Party following further revelations about his friendship with the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.The access Epstein had to the British government marks a serious breach and existential questions for the Labour Party.Oli Dugmore is joined by Rachel Cunliffe.