House of Comments

The Local Trust and the Virus

House of Comments — Sat, 02 May 2020 12:21:40 +0000

In this episode, Emma Burnell speaks to Margaret Bolton from the Local Trust about how their Big Local projects are adapting to the 'new normal'. She also highlights their big idea of a Community Wealth Fund.

Warring Fictions

House of Comments — Mon, 13 Apr 2020 16:51:17 +0000

In this episode, Emma talks to Chris Clarke, author of Warring Fictions - left populism and its defining myths.

Uncharted - With author Margaret Heffernan

House of Comments — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 06:58:11 +0000

In this fascinating episode Emma Burnell talks to author Margaret Heffernan about her book Uncharted - How to Map the Future together, The book looks at the prediction business and how to really plan for an unpredictable future.

The book is available here https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/Uncharted/Margaret-Heffernan/9781471179785

and examples of Emma's journalism can be found here https://www.politicalhuman.com/journalism

A Left for Itself - Interview with David Swift

House of Comments — Mon, 28 Oct 2019 16:13:54 +0000

In this special episode, Emma Burnell interviews David Swift, author of A Left For Itself: Left wing hobbyists and performative radicialism.

You can find the book here: https://www.johnhuntpublishing.com/zer0-books/our-books/left-for-itself

Foot Soldiers - Interview with Professor Tim Bale

House of Comments — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 17:45:24 +0000

Emma Burnell and Professor Tim Bale meet over a (noisy) coffee to discuss his book Footsoldiers - about who joins a political party and why.

Contemporary Left Antisemitism

House of Comments — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 11:29:33 +0000

In this one-off special, Emma Burnell talks to David Hirsh, Sociology lecturer at Goldsmiths University and author of Contemporary Left Antisemitism. They discuss how antisemitism has been mainstreamed within some areas of the left and how it is an essential part of anti-democratic thinking.

The book can be found here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Contemporary-Left-Antisemitism-David-Hirsh/dp/1138235318

Not Buying It

House of Comments — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 14:32:01 +0000

In this one-off episode, Emma talks to Charlotte Henry - author of new book Not Buying It - the Facts Behind Fake News about - well Fake News. But also liberal centrism as default, whether all propaganda is bad propaganda and how to understand structural biases without conspiratorial thinking.

The Price of Paradise: Interview with Iain Overton

House of Comments — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 18:51:06 +0000

Emma interviews Iain Overton, journalist, writer and Director of Action on Armed Violence about his new book The Price of Paradise: How the Suicide bomber shaped the modern age.

Who Will Replace Theresa May?

House of Comments — Tue, 09 Apr 2019 11:09:00 +0000

On 28th March, Emma took part in a Tortoise Media 'Think-in' - an event where panel and audience alike discuss a topic together. This topic was originally "Should Theresa May resign" but events overtook us so it became "Who should replace Theresa May?". This is that discussion.

How to set up a new political party

House of Comments — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 12:38:06 +0000

In this one-off special, Emma Burnell interviews Nick Silver, founder of Radix and author of new book A Guide to New Political Movements: How to do politics in the 21st century.

They discuss the 'radical centre', leadership, ideology and what it takes to succeed in modern politics.

Funny Tinge

House of Comments — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 07:43:01 +0000

EMERGENCY PODCAST!

Emma and Mark are back back back! To discuss the breakaway of the Independent Groups of 7 former Labour MPs.

2018 - That Was The Year That Was

House of Comments — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 07:31:36 +0000

In their last podcast for a while, Emma, Nick and Mark look back over the madness that has been politics in 2018 and forward to much more and possibly worse in 2019! Happy New Year!

Junkers for goalsposts

House of Comments — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 21:35:22 +0000

This week, Mark and Nick discuss conspiracy theories, Brexit and its ever shifting goalposts. Deal or no deal?

The future of the Tories

House of Comments — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 20:26:06 +0000

In this special episode hosted by Duncan Robinson of the Economist, podcast regular Nick Denys debates the future of the Tory Party and Conservative thought with Rebecca Lowe - Director of Freer.

Brexshit

House of Comments — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 22:29:04 +0000

Emma Burnell and Mark Thompson discuss the ongoing clusterf*ck that is Westminster, May and all things Brexit.

Budgets, Brazil and Bravery

House of Comments — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 17:37:22 +0000

In this extraordinary episode, we talk about the budget and the new president of Brazil. But most importantly, Mark opens up about his past mental health issues.

His bravery is inspiring, but his point is that it shouldn't take bravery. It's an incredible conversation we were all honoured to be part of.

Mark's Lib Dem Conference Special

House of Comments — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 14:57:32 +0000

Mark Thompson visits Lib Dem conference.

Save Democracy - Abolish Voting. Mark Thompson interviews Paul Evans

House of Comments — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 20:23:33 +0000

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"Mark talks to Paul Evans about his book, the provocatively titled 'Save Democracy: Abolish Voting'"

We all love a leaflet round

House of Comments — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 07:00:00 +0000

In our last episode before the summer break, Mark, Nick and Emma discuss what it means to be a Party member and why it matters to understand that. Even if you aren't one. We also talk about Brexit (inevitably) and Steve Bannon.

"The more Farage the Better" Nick Denys interviews Patrick O'Flynn

House of Comments — Fri, 20 Jul 2018 15:38:16 +0000

In this episode Nick Denys interviews Patrick O'Flynn - UKIP MEP - on how he thinks Brexit is going, on how UKIP is going and where now for him and the anti-Europe movement.

the already checkered history of the Chequers Agreement

House of Comments — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 16:22:17 +0000

There's only one topic this week as we didn't want to swear too much about Trump.

But as we welcome a slightly tired Nick Denys back off paternity leave, Mark Thompson and Emma Burnell grill him about what the Chequers Deal and the Tory civil war it has subsequently caused really mean.

The New Serfdom - Emma interviews Angela Eagle MP

House of Comments — Thu, 05 Jul 2018 20:09:54 +0000

Emma Burnell interviews Angela Eagle MP about her book (written with Imran Ahmed) The New Serfdom: Conservative ideas and how to defeat them.

Punch and Judy Politics

House of Comments — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 06:30:00 +0000

Emma Burnell interviews Ayesha Hazarika and Tom Hamilton about their book Punch and Judy Politics. It's a forensic look at PMQs from every concievable angle.

Hired - Emma Burnell interviews James Bloodworth

House of Comments — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 05:30:00 +0000

Emma interviews James Bloodworth about his new book Hired. James spent six months undercover in low wage Britain and writes movingly about what he found.

Never Mind the Ballots

House of Comments — Thu, 24 May 2018 12:16:21 +0000

In this episode Mark Thompson and Emma Burnell discuss the lack of any coverage of republicanism in the wake of wall-to-wall royal wedding coverage, the opening of the Grenfell Inquiry and the resignation from the Labour Party of Ken Livingstone.

Fox and Friends and Fudge

House of Comments — Mon, 14 May 2018 15:13:21 +0000

No Mark this week - Emma gamely tries an AV anaolgy in his place.

In the meantime Emma Burnell and Nick Denys pay tribute to Tessa Jowell, discuss the ongoing Customs Union mess and Trump's ripping up of the Iran deal.

Ruddy Cheek

House of Comments — Thu, 03 May 2018 10:51:28 +0000

On the eve of the local elections, Emma, Nick and Mark discuss the Alfie Evans case and the horrendous circus that surrounded this tragedy.

We also discuss the eventual resignation of Amber Rudd - Nick's forgotten her so quickly he calls her Amanda! Did she lie or just tell an untruth - yes, we get that semantic.

We discuss the potential for peace between North and South Korea and the role of Donald Trump. Also should we protest his visit?

Finally we discuss the local elections. Good luck to everyone standing and campaigning today!

140: The New Working Class: Nick Denys interviews Claire Ainsley

House of Comments — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 08:00:00 +0000

In this special episode, Nick Denys interviews Claire Ainsley, Executive Director of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and author of the forthcoming book The New Working Class: How to win hearts, minds and votes.

139: The Windrush to War

House of Comments — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 06:00:00 +0000

The UK, USA and France have taken joint action in response to the chemical attacks carried out on Syrians by President Assad. We try to look not just at why this action was taken, but also why doing so is so polarising.

One issue we aren't polarised on is the disgraceful treatment of the Windrush generation by the Home Office. But is it cock up or conspiracy?

Are our elections being hacked? Could they be in future? We try to look at the issues behind the scandals.

And finally, what would we put in a Brexit Museum?

141. The Queensbury Rules are Over

House of Comments — Sat, 31 Mar 2018 13:30:48 +0000

You know it's been a tough week when your "Any finally" story is on a leaflet so racist you can't even call it dog whistling.

This week Emma, Mark and Nick discuss Labour's antisemitism problem, everyone's Cambridge Analytica problem, the release of John Worboys and the aforementioned leaflet from Havering Tories.

140. Common Areas and No Go Areas

House of Comments — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 13:16:44 +0000

This week, Emma, Mark and Nick discuss the chemical attack on British soil, the likelihood of it being sanctioned by Russia and what can be done about that.

We also discuss the Irish border and the EU's position that they can't go further with the negotiations until this is settled.

Finally we look at the latest bullying and abuse scandal in the Houses of Parliament.

139. Equal Power: Interview with Jo Swinson MP

House of Comments — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 06:48:54 +0000

In this special episode, released on the eve of International Women's Day, Emma interviews Jo Swinson MP, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats, about her new book Equal Power: and how you can make it happen.

They discuss All Women Shortlists, the Lord Rennard affair, body image and other key suggestions for improving gender equality.

139. The Beast from Eastern Europe

House of Comments — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 16:49:28 +0000

Labour have changed their minds on the customs union. Have our regulars or guest Hugo Sugg? Well, what do you think?

Emma asks Ben Bradley MP- genius or goat? And we discuss the UK's reaction to snow and the effect on those living on the streets.

138: Good passions, bad passions

House of Comments — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 00:37:43 +0000

This week, Emma, Mark and Nick discuss the ongoing crisis in local government. There's surprising agreement about whose fault it is.

We also discuss the Telegraph and Daily Mail front page attacks on George Soros and the unfolding scandal of aid workers abusing their beneficiaries in Haiti and Chad.

137: House of Comments: Interview with Ava Etemadzadeh

House of Comments — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 07:30:00 +0000

In this special episode, Emma interviews Ava Etemadzadeh - a young Labour Party activist who has been in the headlines having made a complaint against a Labour MP as part of the ongoing "Pestminster" scandal.

As the Parliamentary report into future measures to tackle abuse of staff is published we discuss if it is sufficient, what needs to be done to protect volunteers and how we can all work to change the culture of politics.

136: House of Comments - Uncertain Futures

House of Comments — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 22:56:15 +0000

This week, Regular gang Emma Burnell, Nick Denys and Mark Thompson discuss the leak of the Brexit papers and the latest Tory wobbles. Worse than normal or just par for a rather depressing course?

We also discuss the fall in provision of Social Housing, the ways councils and governments are and are not getting to grips with it and the controversy in Haringey caused by one council's approach.

135: What a Carillion

House of Comments — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 21:08:53 +0000

No Nick this week, but we're delighted instead to be joined by Chloe Schendel-Wilson - a Conservative member and activist.

This week we discuss the collapse of Carillion. What does it mean for the future of private outsourced provision of public services?

We also discuss the latest internal wranglings on Labour's NEC.

Finally, what do Tony Blair and Nigel Farage have in Common?

Yes we discuss the prospect of a second, third, first, whatever(!?) referendum.

135: What a Carrillion

House of Comments — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 21:03:20 +0000

We have no Nick this week sadly.

Luckily we're joined by Chloe Schendel-Wilson a Conservative activist in his place.

This week we discuss the collapse of Carillion and what this means for private provision of public services. We also discuss the Momentum's clean sweep in Labour's NEC elections and their subsequent move to replace Ann Black with Christine Shawcroft.

Finally, what have Tony Blair and Nigel Farage got in common? Yes, we discuss the second/third/whatever referendum.

134. Culture Wars War

House of Comments — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 15:52:55 +0000

We're Back!

The gang are back together for 2018 to discuss politics as we understand it and even as we don't. In this episode we discuss the NHS Winter crisis, the appointment of Toby Young, the latest on the Trump White House and - somewhat foolishly - our predictions for 2018. How wrong can we be right?

Episode 133 - Is June the end of May

House of Comments — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 14:07:30 +0000

Mark Thompson, Emma Burnell and Nick Denys are face to face (for the first time ever!) for this recording of a special House of Comments in the aftermath of the 2017 general election. What went wrong for May? What went right for Corbyn? Is May now finished? They discuss all of this and more. Also round the table was cultural commentator Tim Worthington who provided a very useful and, given how much political pundits have got wrong recently, a much needed non political geek perspective!

Episode 132 - The Strong and Stable Election

House of Comments — Fri, 19 May 2017 18:57:30 +0000

The old band are back together again! Mark Thompson, Emma Burnell and Nick Denys discuss the 2017 General Election campaign. Is Theresa May really strong and stable? Are Labour definitely going to lose? Did Paul Nuttall walk on the moon? Find out the answers to two of these questions and fewer in this special edition of the podcast.

Episode 131 - Article 50

House of Comments — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 18:58:51 +0000

Mark Thompson is joined by Labour activist Emma Burnell and Henry Hill of Conservative Home to discuss the ramifications of the triggering of Article 50 on the day it happened

Episode 130 - Brexit

House of Comments — Sat, 25 Jun 2016 21:57:36 +0000

Mark Thompson and Emma Burnell reunite to discuss the momentous result of the EU Referendum to vote to leave the EU and its likely effects on British politics

Mark Thompson PCC Debate 29042016

House of Comments — Sat, 30 Apr 2016 21:55:36 +0000

Mark chairs a debate between four of the candidates standing for the role of Police and Crime Commissioner in Devon and Cornwall. The candidates are Gareth Derrick for Labour, Alison Hernandez for the Conservatives, Richard Younger-Ross for the Lib Dems and Jonathan Smith for UKIP. We cover all sort of ground including Hillsborough and the aftermath of the inquest verdict, online crime, the remit of the role of PCC and even whether it is ever morally justified to commit a crime.

Mark Thompson Music Mill FM Show 20042016

House of Comments — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 12:09:09 +0000

Mark talks about the EU referendum campaign with Rafael Behr of The Guardian, with Lib Dem activist Jennie Rigg about safe spaces, no platforming and trigger warnings and finally to Tim Worthington about the life and work of Victoria Wood

Mark Thompson Music Mill FM Show 06042016

House of Comments — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 14:25:10 +0000

Mark talks to former Nick Clegg special adviser Sean Kemp about his time in Number 10 and to Gavin Devine about whether we should curtail the right of pensioners to vote especially for the upcoming EU referendum

Mark Thompson Music Mill FM Show 23032016

House of Comments — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 14:39:21 +0000

Mark talks to Conservative Home's Henry Hill about whether the younger generations will get anything like the sort of retirements they've seen their parents and grandparents have and to Simon Parker of the New Local Government Network about Universal Basic Income

Mark Thompson Music Mill FM Show 09032016

House of Comments — Mon, 21 Mar 2016 07:09:16 +0000

Mark talks to Tim Worthington about TV remakes and Emma Burnell about "The New Politics" and the impending EU referendum

Mark Thompson Music Mill FM Show 17022016

House of Comments — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 16:02:37 +0000

Mark talks to Mark Wadsworth of the Yound People's Party about Land Value and to Claer Barrett of the Financial Times about the prospects for younger people trying to get onto the property ladder

Mark Thompson Music Mill FM Show 10022016

House of Comments — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 21:25:22 +0000

Mark talks to Dr David Brockington of Plymouth University about the US primaries and how they work and to Ian Dunt, editor of politics.co.uk about the government's reduction in opposition party Short money, the EU referendum and the Home Office's approach to migrants

Mark Thompson Music Mill FM Show 20012016

House of Comments — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 19:49:33 +0000

Mark talks to Matt Singh of Number Cruncher Politics about polling before the 2015 general election and how he managed to predict the correct outcome when most other analysts got it wrong

Mark Thompson Music Mill FM Show 13012016

House of Comments — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 16:56:33 +0000

Mark talks to former political editor of The Observer Gaby Hinsliff about Corbyn's reshuffle and Cameron's decision to allow his ministers freedom on the EU referendum and to cultural commentator Tim Worthington about the "Video Nasty" moral panic of the 1980s

Mark Thompson Music Mill FM Show 16122015

House of Comments — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 13:44:43 +0000

This week Mark talks to former Labour parliamentary candidate Russell Whiting about his experiences in the run up to the 2015 general election and to actor Martin Ross about what he has found coming to the profession later in life

Mark Thompson Music Mill FM Show 09122015

House of Comments — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 15:01:33 +0000

Mark talks to professional poker player Neil Channing about his life at the felt and how he fell into this rather unusual line of work and to DJ Rick Edwards about his career behind the mic

Mark Thompson Music Mill FM Show 02122015

House of Comments — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 19:49:13 +0000

Mark talks to Labour activist Emma Burnell about the current state of Labour and politics in general and to politics lecturer Alex Marsh about "Post-truth Politics"

Mark Thompson Music Mill FM Show 25112015

House of Comments — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 13:51:40 +0000

Mark talks to Henry Hill of Conservative Home about votes at 16 and Osborne's Autumn Statement and to cultural commentator and old school TV expert Steve Williams about in-vision TV continuity and why it's largely died out

Mark Thompson Music Mill FM Show 18112015

House of Comments — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 14:35:26 +0000

Mark is joined by Emeritus Professor of War History at Kings College London Lawrence Freedman to discuss the nuclear deterrent and by Conservative candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall Alison Hernandez to discuss her campaign and politics more generally

Mark Thompson Music Mill FM Show 11112015

House of Comments — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 11:57:30 +0000

This week Mark speaks to media expert and former Labour adviser Paul Blanchard about Freedom of Information reform and how Jeremy Corbyn is doing and also former Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Kelly-Marie Blundell about how her party is getting on 6 months after the general election

Mark Thompson Music Mill FM Show 04112015

House of Comments — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 12:32:53 +0000

This week in his radio show Mark speaks to journalist and BBC Radio 4 Analysis presenter Jo Fidgen about the ethics of eating meat and also to the comedienne Wendy Wason about fulfilling different roles in our busy lives and how much room is left for the real us

Mark Thompson Music Mill FM Show 21102015

House of Comments — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 13:04:12 +0000

This week in his radio show Mark speaks to drug law reform campaigner Steve Rolles about the current drug laws and how they might change and then to chief spokesperson for the pressure group Republic about the monarchy and republicanism as well as Jeremy Corbyn's recent royal related problems

Mark Thompson Music Mill FM Show 14102015

House of Comments — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 09:42:04 +0000

This week in his radio show Mark speaks to head of press for UKIP Gawain Towler about the EU referendum and technology journalist Nicole Kobie about broadband coverage and so called "not spots" in the light of a debate on this subject by MPs this week.

Mark Thompson Music Mill FM Show 07102015

House of Comments — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 10:11:18 +0000

Mark is now hosting a weekly topical news show on Music Mill FM and the episodes are being uploaded to the House of Comments feed for your delight and delectation. This week he talks to Conservative commentator Rupert Myers about the Tory conference and author and cultural commentator Tim Worthington about famous TV defections of the past following Robert Peston's move from the BBC to become ITV's political editor.

Episode 129 - The Corgasm

House of Comments — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 20:31:27 +0000

Mark is joined by Editor of Politics.co.uk Ian Dunt for another "One off special" of the podcast to discuss the remarkable surge of Jeremy Corbyn and its current and likely future effects

Episode 128 - The Living Wage Budget

House of Comments — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 21:09:34 +0000

Mark is back for a one off special during the current podcast hiatus and is joined by the Guardian political columnist Rafael Behr to discuss George Osborne's "Living Wage" budget and its political consequences.

Episode 127 - The Election Surprise

House of Comments — Thu, 14 May 2015 13:37:57 +0000

Mark is joined by Ian Dunt editor of Politics.co.uk to discuss the general election that (almost) nobody correctly predicted the results of and what the aftermath now means for the various parties.

We will be taking a break from regular podcasts for a while to recover from the election period. Stay subscribed and we'll be back when we're fully recharged!

Episode 126 - The One with the Electoral Reformers

House of Comments — Mon, 04 May 2015 19:15:34 +0000

Mark is joined by broadcaster and historian Dan Snow to discuss the previous week's election campaigning especially the BBC Question Time debate with the three main party leaders and given that Dan is an ambassador for the Electoral Reform Society and it's Mark's favourite pet political subject they speculate on how and when reform may just happen for Westminster.

Episode 125 - The Challenger Debate

House of Comments — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 20:55:16 +0000

Mark is joined by Isabel Hardman the Assistant Editor of The Spectator to discuss the challenger's debate, the growing influence of the SNP on UK politics and what would happen if no stable government can be formed after the general election

Episode 124 - Are Referendums Anti-democratic?

House of Comments — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 15:19:48 +0000

Mark is joined by Labour activist and recovering blogger Paul Evans to discuss the previous week's campaigning in the general election, whether political betting or the polls are better at predicting the results of elections and whether referendums are anti-democratic.

Episode 123 - Menage a Sept

House of Comments — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 13:06:45 +0000

Mark is joined by Guardian journalist James Ball to discuss the seven way debate, the alleged Nicola Sturgeon memo and the Labour attack on the Lib Dems for being "soft on drugs"

Episode 122 - The Long Short Campaign

House of Comments — Sat, 28 Mar 2015 17:00:46 +0000

Mark is joined by Lib Dem Voice editor Caron Lindsay as the "Short Campaign" begins to discuss the Cameron/Miliband interview with Paxman, the impact of Scotland on the upcoming election and how mental health problems are being portrayed in the media following the Germanwings tragedy. And they find time to speculate about Lib Dem prospects.

Episode 121 - Debating the Debate about the Debates

House of Comments — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 22:01:00 +0000

Mark is joined by Conservative activist and former House of Comments co-host Nick Denys to discuss the debate about the TV debates, housing targets and the perniciousness of political jargon.

Episode 120 - The Sting and Other Stories

House of Comments — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 21:35:25 +0000

Mark is joined by former House of Comments co-host and contributing editor of Labour List Emma Burnell to discuss the sting that brought Jack Straw and Malcolm Rifkind low on outside interests, Labour's new tuition fees policy and the government's decision to devolve healthcare to the Manchester region.

Episode 119 - You Say Avoidance I Say Evasion

House of Comments — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 12:32:55 +0000

Mark is joined by former Lib Dem activist Sara Scarlett to discuss tax avoidance/evasion, Peter Oborne's resignation from The Telegraph and how enlightenment values or the lack of them can play a part in extremism.

Episode 118 - Tragedy and Crises

House of Comments — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 08:46:39 +0000

Mark is joined by the Editor of Politics.co.uk Ian Dunt to discuss the Charlie Hebdo killings, the NHS crisis, Angela Merkel wagging Cameron's immigration dog and whether the PM is chickening out of the leader debates.

Episode 117 - Reviews and Predictions

House of Comments — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 13:45:58 +0000

Mark is joined by Left Foot Forward editor James Bloodworth to discuss the political highlights of 2014 and to look forward to what 2015 has in store. Topics include the rise of UKIP (inevitably), Labour's diminishing poll lead, the Scottish referendum and aftermath and Russia's annexation of Crimea.

Episode 116 - The Douglas Defection

House of Comments — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 19:44:46 +0000

Mark is joined by Mark Wallace from Conservative Home to discuss the ramifications of Douglas Carswell's defection from the Conservative Party to UKIP

Episode 115 - On a Knife Edge

House of Comments — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 20:05:55 +0000

Mark is joined by co-hosts Emma Burnell and Nick Denys to discuss the Commons recent vote on knife possession, Labour's potential new approach to welfare and the latest benefits fiasco.

The podcast will now be taking a break for a few months but we will be back so keep subscribed!

Episode 114 - May vs Gove

House of Comments — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 22:24:37 +0000

Mark is joined by Labour PPC Uma Kumaran and freelance journalist Bobby Friedman to discuss Gove vs May, the BBC license fee and whether we're ever going to get proper parliamentary recall.

Episode 113 - Not So Mighty Oakeshott

House of Comments — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 19:58:32 +0000

Emma Burnell and Caron Lindsay of Lib Dem Voice discuss leadership challenges, changes to politics, the Newark By-election, Global violence against women and the travesty of Tower Hamlets.

Episode 112 – The Good (Ukip), the Bad (Conservative and Labour), and the Ugly (Lib Dems)

House of Comments — Mon, 26 May 2014 19:33:57 +0000

Nick and Emma are joined by Mark Pack (political author, Lib Dem blogger and activist) to pick through the election results. What, if anything, do they tell us about the state of the main Westminster parties?

Episode 111- What’s the point of politics?

House of Comments — Mon, 19 May 2014 13:29:35 +0000

On this week’s podcast, Nick Denys talks to Carl Packman (Labour writer) and Nick Tyrone (author of upcoming book on the AV referendum and the Coalition) about the apathy and anger there is towards mainstream politics.

Episode 110 - Small is Beautiful

House of Comments — Mon, 12 May 2014 20:09:06 +0000

Mark is joined by Green Party activist Sian Berry and leader of The Pirate Party UK Loz Kaye to discuss Cameron's pledge to resign if he can't get an EU referendum, Fracking, copyright law and how the UK political system treats small parties.

Episode 109 - Should Government Intervene?

House of Comments — Mon, 05 May 2014 19:21:08 +0000

Emma is joined by Labour London Assembly Member Tom Copley and Lib Dem blogger Charlotte Henry to discuss intervention is the housing market and foreign takeovers.

Episode 108 – Ukip aren’t racist, but…

House of Comments — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 19:18:09 +0000

This week the 3 co-hosts – Nick Denys, Emma Burnell and Mark Thompson – discuss the political news from the last few weeks. Have Ukip gained a harder and nastier edge? If Boris returns to Westminster politics, will he improve the Conservative’s appeal? What does the appointment of David “Oh Sweet Child of Mine” Axelrod tell us about UK politics?

Episode 107 – What is England?

House of Comments — Sun, 20 Apr 2014 08:50:15 +0000

In the week of St George’s Day, Nick tries to find out what England and English is. He talks to Sunder Katwala (Director of British Future), Caroline Kent (feminist columnist for the Telegraph) and Julian Baggini (philosopher and author of “Welcome to Everytown”). Sunder is interviewed at the beginning, Caroline at around 14 minutes, and Julian from 26 minutes 20 seconds.

Episode 106 - The Miller Tale

House of Comments — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 21:23:19 +0000

Mark is joined by Labour PPC Jessica Asato and Lib Dem commentator Mark Pack to discuss the fallout from the Maria Miller resignation, power and harassment in politics and they address the question: "What are the Lib Dems for?".

Episode 105 - Europe: the other way around

House of Comments — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 21:52:15 +0000

Emma discusses the European question with the Centre Right pro European Dirk Hazell of the European People's Party and Left winger Max Shanly of Young Labour.

Episode 104 - The In or Out Debate Round One

House of Comments — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 20:12:04 +0000

Emma and Mark discuss the first EU In/Out debate between Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage focusing on the domestic ramifications and also the latest climate change report and how it's likely to affect politics.

Episode 103 - Full House

House of Comments — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 18:58:49 +0000

Mark is joined by Labour PPC Uma Kumaran and Max Wind-Cowie an associate at the think-tank Demos to discuss the budget including pensions and inevitably bingo, student loans and whether there is nepotism in parliament.

Episode 102 - What is the EU Parliament for?

House of Comments — Sun, 16 Mar 2014 20:15:40 +0000

This week Nick is joined by three MEP candidates to talk about whether to have an In/Out EU referendum and to try to pin down what the purpose of the EU Parliamentary is. Annesley Abercorn (Conservative), Ivana Bartoletti (Labour), and Paul Oakley (Ukip) discuss.

Episode 101 - Wot No Bus Pass Elvis?

House of Comments — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 21:32:54 +0000

Emma Burnell is joined by Isabel Hardman of the Spectator and Helen Lewis of the New Statesman to discuss the Lib Dem spring conference, immigration and the situation in the Ukraine.

Episode 100 - 100th Episode Extravaganza

House of Comments — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 22:13:44 +0000

Mark is joined by Emma and Nick as well as former House of Comments co-host from way back Stuart Sharpe and our first ever guest from back in 2009, LBC presenter Iain Dale to celebrate our 100th episode. Topics discussed this week are the Harriet Harman and Jack Dromey NCCL/PIE story, Labour's special conference (which Emma spoke at) and the move to One Member One Vote and also whether the Conservatives and Labour would be wise to rule out potential coalition in 2015 as a manifesto commitment.

Episode 99 - Free Syria, free speech, and why the Conservative’s should tackle the wealthfare issue.

House of Comments — Sun, 23 Feb 2014 20:29:22 +0000

This week Nick talks to Rafif Jouejati (Syrian Opposition Coalition) about the Geneva peace talks and the future of Syria, James Delingpole (Executive Editor – Breitbart London) about free speech and the launch of Breitbart’s new London website, and Peter Franklin (Editor – Deep End, Conservative Home) about why right-wingers need to stop talking about how much income tax the richest pay.

Episode 98 - Money is no Object

House of Comments — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 17:33:23 +0000

Mark is joined by Lib Dem PPC for Guildford Kelly-Marie Blundell and Former Labour PPC and councillor Paul Blanchard to discuss the latest political fallout from the floods, the recent petition urging the government to review drugs policy and they ask whether voter recall is now dead for this parliament. Spoiler alert - it is.

Episode 97 - Ever closer union?

House of Comments — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 06:04:00 +0000

What can and should be done about flooding? Would the Tories be happy to see Scotland go? And just what is their problem with women? Emma is joined by Mark Wallace of Conservative Home and Hopi Sen.

Episode 96 - Smoke and Mirror, Signal Manoeuvres

House of Comments — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 12:37:35 +0000

This week regulars hosts Emma Burnell, Nick Denys and Mark Thompson come together to discuss the Tories and the EU, Labour and the Unions, the split between Laws and Gove and smoking in cars.

Episode 95 - Protest Movements and Protest Parties

House of Comments — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 00:24:33 +0000

This week Nick speaks to Christian May about the Ukrainian protests and Donna Edmunds, editor of Ukip Daily, about the political news and Ukip’s growing pains. Subjects covered include, raising the upper tax limit to 50p, Ukip’s appeal, Syrian refugees, and the treatment of women in politics.

Episode 94 - Cash4Fracking

House of Comments — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 22:35:38 +0000

Mark is joined by Labour activist and council candidate Claire Spencer and Ruth Porter of the centre-right think tank Policy Exchange to discuss Ed Miliband's banking reforms, Osborne's £7 minimum wage intervention, cash incentives to councils for fracking and the continuing fallout from the Lord Rennard case.

Episode 93 - It's Complicated

House of Comments — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 21:52:11 +0000

Emma is joined by Lib Dem Charlotte Henry of Total Politics, David Skelton, Director of Reform and justice campaigner Ellie Cumbo to discuss the Lib Lab Love in, Minimum wage and the fall out from the Mark Duggan Inquest

Episode 92 - Down in the Flood

House of Comments — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 18:22:48 +0000

Mark, Emma and Nick discuss the newly released revelations about the miners' strike, the debate around Romanian and Bulgarian immigration, the recent floods and the politics of the Environment Agency and flood defences funding, the latest Lord Ashcroft "Mega Poll" and they make their political predictions for the coming year.

Episode 91 - Winter Special - Emma talks to Sue Marsh

House of Comments — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 22:58:52 +0000

Emma interviews disability activist Sue Marsh about her campaigning including use of social media and the difficulty of getting the mainstream media interested in the subject

Episode 90 - The Rise of Food Banks

House of Comments — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 21:32:02 +0000

Mark and Emma are joined by Conservative member and political podcaster Rupert Myers to discuss food banks, IDS criticising The Trussell Trust, why Simon Hughes has decided to join the government and who his replacement as Lib Dem deputy leader might be and finally have we seen the end of Tigger as Conservative Party Chair?

Episode 89 - 2 Unlimited

House of Comments — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 21:35:24 +0000

Emma is back! Recovering well from her recent operation Emma talks to Mark about the recently floated "two child benefit and no more" policy from a close Cameron advisor, the gender pay gap rising and the BBC's policy on promotion and non-promotion of charities.

Episode 88 - Forever Autumn

House of Comments — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 20:46:52 +0000

Mark is joined by LabourList's Mark Ferguson and freelance journalist and Lib Dem activist Charlotte Henry to discuss Nelson Mandela's legacy, the aftermath of the Autumn Statement and whether MPs deserve an 11% pay rise.

Episode 87 - Reforming Sir Humphrey

House of Comments — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 20:37:19 +0000

Mark and Emma discuss potential reform of the Civil Service, the Government's ideas on reducing energy bills and the increase in food banks.

Episode 86 - The Day of the Reverend

House of Comments — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 11:55:56 +0000

Mark and Emma are joined by Conservative activist Nick Denys to discuss the fallout from the Co-op Bank and Paul Flowers scandal, Dominic Grieve's comments about a "favour culture" within some ethnic minority communities and should there be a new National Liberal party? Oh and they also discuss Doctor Who's 50th anniversary. Well two of them do.

Episode 85 - Leaving the Lib Dems

House of Comments — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 19:19:48 +0000

Mark and Emma are joined by co-editor of Lib Dem Voice Caron Lindsay to discuss how politics works with respect to Mark's decision to leave the Lib Dems, Tory web history deletion shenanigans and the Ed Balls "Nightmare" e-mail.

Episode 84 - Universal Discredit

House of Comments — Sun, 10 Nov 2013 19:44:27 +0000

Mark and Emma are joined by the editor of The New Statesman blog The Staggers George Eaton to discuss the latest Universal Credit debacle, the NHS A&E crisis, the latest on an EU referendum, the ending of shipbuilding in Portsmouth and whether there's a link to Scottish independence and finally oversight of spending on the monarchy. Warning - contains republican ranting.

Episode 83 - The Royal Charter of Doom

House of Comments — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 22:09:54 +0000

Mark and Emma discuss the press Royal Charter, the living wage, energy prices and also whether we should be paying for MPs fuel bills on their second homes.

Episode 82 - The Brand Revolution

House of Comments — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 21:14:35 +0000

Mark and Emma are joined by Conservative activist Charlotte Vere to discuss Russell Brand's revolutionary ideas, the Roma children scandal and Grant Shapps vs the BBC.

Episode 81 - The Calculus of Differentiation

House of Comments — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 15:34:35 +0000

Mark and Emma are joined by Lib Dem blogger Jennie Rigg to discuss the Lib Dems on Free Schools and policy differentiation in general, Plebgategategate, rendition and Labour's pay day lender tax policy.

Episode 80 - Going Postal

House of Comments — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 20:03:58 +0000

Mark and Emma discuss the Royal Mail privatisation, drugs policy, Norman Baker and conspiracy theories, whether Jeremy Browne might defect to the Tories and Labour's schools and welfare policies.

Episode 79 - The Debt Ceiling Gambit

House of Comments — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 20:32:31 +0000

Mark and Emma discuss Ed vs The Daily Mail and the fallout from this with journalist and author Toby Young and the US shut down with Deputy General Secretary of The Fabian Society Marcus Roberts.

Episode 78 - 2013 Conservative Conference Special

House of Comments — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 08:44:47 +0000

Mark and Emma are joined by Graeme Archer of The Telegraph and his fellow Conservative member Amy Gray to discuss Conservative conference including conference locations, married couple tax allowance and the extension to help to buy.

Episode 77 - 2013 Labour Conference Special

House of Comments — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 13:02:58 +0000

Recorded in a restaurant on Brighton seafront Mark and Emma are joined by Rob Marchant, Andy Harrop and Christine Quigley to discuss all things Labour including party reform, immigration, the full employment target, housing and Damian McBride.

Episode 76 - 2013 Lib Dem Conference Special

House of Comments — Mon, 16 Sep 2013 20:02:43 +0000

Mark is joined by Caron Lindsay and Nick Thornsby to discuss all things Lib Dem - live (well OK, recorded but you know) from the party's conference in Glasgow covering topics as diverse as fracking, Trident and porn filters.

Episode 75 - The End of her Teather

House of Comments — Mon, 09 Sep 2013 12:13:50 +0000

Mark and Emma are joined by Nick Denys from Platform 10 to discuss the Lobbying Bill, the Universal Credit debacle, further Falkirk fallout and Sarah Teather's decision to stand down from parliament.

Episode 74 - Syria

House of Comments — Mon, 02 Sep 2013 09:18:59 +0000

Mark and Emma are joined by James Hallwood of the Constitution Society to discuss the political and constitutional implications of the recent government defeat on potential action in Syria.

Episode 73 - Miranda Rights and Wrongs

House of Comments — Mon, 26 Aug 2013 18:23:34 +0000

Mark and Emma are back from holiday and get stuck in with discussion about Will-gate and party funding, the arrest of David Miranda, the lobbying bill, the "bedroom tax" and votes at 16.

Episode 72 - Summer Special - Emma talks to Iain McNicol

House of Comments — Sun, 18 Aug 2013 22:21:58 +0000

Emma and Labour Party General Secretary Iain McNicol discuss the party and their strategy going into the next general election.

Episode 71 - Summer Special - Mark talks to Caron Lindsay

House of Comments — Sun, 11 Aug 2013 22:44:50 +0000

Mark and Caron Lindsey talk all things Lib Dem (note from Emma - bet there'll be PR talk ;-)).

Episode 70 - Summer Special - Emma talks to Isabel Hardman

House of Comments — Sat, 03 Aug 2013 16:55:16 +0000

Emma Burnell talks Tory politics with editor of the Spectator Coffee House blog Isabel Hardman. We discuss all things polling, leadership and 2015.

Ep 69 - The Politics of Racist Vans

House of Comments — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 15:08:31 +0000

Mark Thompson and Emma Burnell discuss the politics of the "Racist Van" "Pilot", misogyny online in the wake of the threats received by campaigner Caroline Criado-Perez, internet filtering and Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby's comments about Wonga and payday lending.

Episode 68 - Summer Special - Mark talks to Ian Collins

House of Comments — Sun, 21 Jul 2013 08:39:24 +0000

Mark Thompson talks to LBC presenter and lobby journalist Ian Collins about the current state of politics and the prospects for the next two years in the run up to the 2015 general election.

Episode 67 - Funding Farrago

House of Comments — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 10:42:37 +0000

This week Mark Thompson and Emma Burnell discuss party funding in the light of Ed Miliband's recent announcement on union funding, the immigration backlog and Post Office privatisation.

Episode 66 - Falkirk Fallout

House of Comments — Mon, 08 Jul 2013 21:46:24 +0000

This week Mark Thompson and Emma Burnell are joined by Liberal Conspiracy's Sunny Hundal to discuss the fallout from the Falkirk selection debacle, how Ed Miliband's proposals to respond to this might affect the future of the Labour Party and the further recent discussions about an EU referendum.

Episode 65 - The Spending Review Review

House of Comments — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 11:18:09 +0000

This week Mark Thompson and Emma Burnell are joined by Bright Blue's Kate Maltby to discuss the spending review and the related fortunes of the parties in its wake, the double dip that never was, royal spending, ministerial no shows and violent porn.

Episode 64 - The Alternative Queen's Speech

House of Comments — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 20:18:34 +0000

This week Mark Thompson and Emma Burnell discuss "The Alternative Queen's Speech", domestic violence, the behaviour of MPs in the chamber of the House of Commons and whether benefit claimants should have their addresses published.

Episode 63 - Making the Grade

House of Comments — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 22:01:08 +0000

This week Mark Thompson and Emma Burnell are joined by Conservative activist and blogger Nick Denys to discuss Michael Gove's education reforms, The Morrissey Report into the Lib Dems in the wake of the Lord Rennard allegations and Sarah Woolaston's interview with the Guardian about how having won an open primary to become MP for Totnes, the political system has treated her.

Episode 62 - Taking an Interest

House of Comments — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 16:45:46 +0000

This week Mark Thompson and Emma Burnell are joined by author Carl Packman to discuss payday lenders and what can be done to provide loans from alternative sources, the US PRISM scandal and how it relates to privacy questions in the UK and Labour's repositioning on pensions policy.

Episode 61 - Total Recall

House of Comments — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 20:59:25 +0000

This week Mark Thompson and Emma Burnell discuss the latest parliamentary scandal and ask whether we need a clampdown on lobbying and also the ability for MPs to be recalled as well as Labour's latest announcement on means testing pensioner benefits.

Episode 60 - The Woolwich Aftermath

House of Comments — Mon, 27 May 2013 20:51:12 +0000

This week Mark Thompson and Emma Burnell are joined by parliamentary lobby correspondent and host of the "Hear Hear" podcast Sean Dilley to chew over the week in politics. They discuss various aspects of the aftermath of the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich including the political and media responses. They also cover whether David Cameron should be able to take a holiday and touch upon the recent fortunes of the Conservative Party more widely.

Episode 59 - Five Days in May

House of Comments — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:55:22 +0000

Mark Thompson and Emma Burnell discuss recent events in politics in the all new revived House of Comments podcast. This week they are joined by Labour activist and blogger Hopi Sen to discuss Andrew Adonis' "5 Days in May" about the coalition negotiations from Labour's perspective, Loongate and the Tories incipient nervous breakdown over Europe and equal marriage.

Episode 58 - Post Truth Politics

House of Comments — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:44:34 +0000

Mark Thompson and Emma Burnell discuss recent events in politics in the all new revived House of Comments podcast. This week they are joined by Lib Dem activist Jennie Rigg to discuss "Post truth politics" in the wake of Iain Duncan-Smith having been caught out misusing statistics (again), Michael Gove's comments on the Lib Dem internal struggles, fish quotas and the ongoing effects of the bedroom tax.

Episode 57 - The Fruitcake Elections

House of Comments — Mon, 06 May 2013 17:54:18 +0000

Mark Thompson and Emma Burnell discuss recent events in politics in the all new revived House of Comments podcast. This week they are joined by Labour activist and local government expert Laura Wilkes to discuss the recent local election results especially with respect to the continuing UKIP surge, David Cameron's old Etonian staffing tendencies, the decision by the government not to enshrine the 0.7% GDP level of foreign aid in law and anonymity for rape suspects.

Episode 56 - A Pretty Straight Sort of Guy

House of Comments — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:23:02 +0000

Mark Thompson and Emma Burnell discuss recent events in politics in the all new revived House of Comments podcast. This week they analyse Tony Blair's latest comments about the UK political scene with respect to Labour in particular, Iain Duncan-Smith's suggestion that wealthy pensioners should hand back their universal benefits and they look ahead to the upcoming local elections.

Episode 55 - Paris Blues

House of Comments — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:52:11 +0000

Mark Thompson discusses recent events in politics in the all new revived House of Comments podcast. This week he is joined by Labour activist and councillor Grace Fletcher-Hackwood to discuss the case of Paris Brown the 17 year old who was forced to stand down from her position as youth advisor to a PCC due to her social media activities, Labour's position on public finances and looking forward to the local elections in a couple of weeks time they consider whether there is likely to be a UKIP surge.

Episode 54 - We need to talk about Margaret

House of Comments — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 21:56:35 +0000

Mark Thompson discusses recent events in politics in the all new revived House of Comments podcast. This week he is joined by libertarian blogger Mark Wallace to discuss the impact and legacy of Margaret Thatcher in the wake of her death last week.

Episode 53 - Goodbye Mr Miliband

House of Comments — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 19:58:27 +0000

Mark Thompson and Emma Burnell discuss recent events in politics in the all new revived House of Comments podcast. This week they discuss the departure of David Miliband from UK politics and the UK altogether, the welfare changes and the controversial use by some in the media and politics of the Mick Philpott case in the debate about benefits.

Episode 52 - The Meh Budget

House of Comments — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 22:57:13 +0000

Mark Thompson and Emma Burnell discuss recent events in politics in the all new revived House of Comments podcast. This week they are joined by former Ed Miliband adviser Sonia Sodha to discuss the budget, Leveson and blogs, Workfare and JSA targets and immigration bonds.

Episode 51 - Theresa May, Afriyie Won't

House of Comments — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 06:39:33 +0000

Emma Burnell discusses recent events in politics in the all new revived House of Comments podcast. This week she was joined by Liberal conservative blogger and contributor to Platform 10 Nick Denys. They talked all things fiscal in advance of the budget and also covered the many (many) plots swirling around the Tory party and what that all means for their electoral chances.

Episode 50 - I'm a liberal and I'm against this sort of thing

House of Comments — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 23:03:25 +0000

Emma Burnell discusses recent events in politics in the all new revived House of Comments podcast. This week she is joined by Liberal Democrat Linda Jack and former Liberal Democrat Jo Shaw who had dramatically resigned from the party on the conference stage during a debate on Secret Courts on the day of recording. They discuss Secret Courts, party leaderships being out of touch with their members, the differences between Labour and the Lib Dems and how women in politics and public life are treated.

Episode 49 - The Eastleigh Fallout

House of Comments — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 22:17:13 +0000

Mark Thompson and Emma Burnell discuss recent events in politics in the all new revived House of Comments podcast. This week they are joined by Rafael Behr the political editor of the New Statesman to discuss the fallout from Eastleigh including the UKIP surge, John O'Farrell's comments about candidate "scrutiny" and murmurs from the Conservative Party about rowing back on human rights legislation.

Episode 48 - The Politics of AAA

House of Comments — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 22:19:13 +0000

Mark Thompson and Emma Burnell discuss recent events in politics in the all new revived House of Comments podcast. This week they are joined by Isabel Hardman the editor of the Spectator Coffee house blog to discuss the AAA debacle and what it means for George Osborne and the government, the Eastleigh by-election and what Mark found out pounding the streets in South Hampshire at the weekend and finally the accusations against Lord Rennard and more generally women in public life.

Episode 47 - Whose Mansion Tax is it Anyway?

House of Comments — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 20:55:21 +0000

Mark Thompson and Emma Burnell discuss recent events in politics in the all new revived House of Comments podcast. This week they discuss Ed Miliband's announcement of a mansion tax and a reintroduction of the 10p tax rate, the latest from the Eastleigh by-election, the court decision on workfare and the Sun's decision to publish a front-page bikini picture of the recently killed Reeva Steenkamp.

Episode 46 - The Future of the NHS

House of Comments — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 23:05:54 +0000

Mark Thompson and Emma Burnell discuss recent events in politics in the all new revived House of Comments podcast. This week they are joined by Guardian writer Ellie Mae O'Hagan to discuss Chris Huhne's resignation and the ensuing Eastleigh by-election, the future of the NHS in the light of the Francis Inquiry into the failings at Stafford Hospital and the reduction in benefits based on rooms in houses that Mark refuses to call the "bedroom tax"!

Episode 45 - Europe - The Final Countdown?

House of Comments — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 22:25:54 +0000

Mark Thompson and Emma Burnell discuss recent events in politics in the all new revived House of Comments podcast. This week they are joined by UKIP head of press Gawain Towler to discuss Cameron's announcement of an in/out EU referendum in 5 years time, the intemperate comments of Lib Dem MP David Ward about Israel and the blacklisting scandal.

Episode 44 - The Death of the High Street

House of Comments — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 21:16:48 +0000

Mark Thompson and Emma Burnell discuss recent events in politics in the all new revived House of Comments podcast. This week they discuss the future of the economy in the context of the recently announced high street troubles for HMV, Jessops, Blockbuster and before them Comet and others. How will our country and its workforce adjust to the new realities and can the state plan for this future or should we just go with the flow? You won't be surprised to hear that Mark and Emma have somewhat different views on this! Also, should HMV and Blockbuster in particular have seen this coming and could they have handled their upstart internet competitors better?

Episode 43 - The One with the Onesie

House of Comments — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 22:54:29 +0000

Mark Thompson and Emma Burnell discuss recent events in politics in the all new revived House of Comments podcast. This week they are joined by Conservative activist and former PPC Charlotte Vere to discuss the government relaunch, childcare reform, Labour's proposals for regulating landlords and they all reveal whether or not any of them own a Onesie like Nick Clegg.

Episode 42 - The Shelf Stacker Reflex

House of Comments — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 21:10:18 +0000

Mark Thompson and Emma Burnell discuss recent events in politics in the all new revived House of Comments podcast. This week they cover Labour's work guarantee, the coalition's mid-term review and they give their own assessments of how the government and coalition has worked thus far. Also, Emma takes Mark to task on his reflex for using shelf stacking as a catch-all way of describing entry level jobs!

Episode 41 - Why must you record my VOIP calls?

House of Comments — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 00:30:28 +0000

Mark Thompson and Emma Burnell discuss recent events in politics in the all new revived House of Comments podcast. This week they are joined by the technical editor of PC Pro Magazine Darien Graham-Smith to discuss the recent joint committee report on the draft communications bill, gay marriage, gun control in the US and Maria Miller's expenses.

Episode 40 - Strivers vs Skivers

House of Comments — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 00:20:00 +0000

Mark Thompson and Emma Burnell discuss recent political events in the House of Comments podcast. This week they discuss the Chancellor's Autumn statement and try to work out who the strivers and skivers are, whether Starbucks are a fair target for tax protests, pluralism with respect to the new "Labour for Democracy" movement and speculate on how the government will respond to the imminent Home Affairs Select Committee report on drug policy.

Episode 39 - Crossing the Rubicon

House of Comments — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 00:14:14 +0000

Mark Thompson and Emma Burnell discuss recent events in politics in the all new revived House of Comments podcast. This week they are joined by libertarian blogger Mark Wallace to discuss the Leveson report and political reaction to it, the recent by-elections especially with respect to the UKIP surge and what they would like to see in the Chancellor's pre-budget statement this week.

Episode 38 - UKIP if you want to

House of Comments — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 09:29:55 +0000

Mark Thompson and Emma Burnell discuss recent events in politics in the all new revived House of Comments podcast.

This week they cover the UKIP members Rotherham fostering case (and hypothesise about how it would have played out if they had been BNP members), sexism in politics following recent comments by Nadine Dorries and try to predict what the Leveson report on Thursday will recommend.