Blog Archive
Huhne attacks Tories for 'trashing' Nick Clegg
Chris Huhne has accused the Conservatives of endorsing the “worst features of the Republican right” during the No to AV campaign.
Friday 6th May 2011Babies in the voting lobby?
Lib Dem MP Jo Swinson has tabled an EDM drawing attention to the "challenges" faced by MPs who are parents of young babies.
Friday 6th May 2011Nominate your women role models
Today is your last chance to nominate an inspirational female MP or peer for the Women in Public Life Awards 2011.
Friday 6th May 2011Benn 'like Rory Bremner'
The leader of the House has compared his shadow to comedian Rory Bremner.
Thursday 5th May 2011Fellowes makes Lords debut
Oscar winner Julian Fellowes has called on the government to ensure spending cuts do not unfairly discriminate against people with disabilities.
Thursday 5th May 2011Clegg to be grilled on AV campaign
Nick Clegg will appear before the Commons constitutional reform committee next week to discuss the "aftermath" of the result of the AV referendum.
Thursday 5th May 2011May tells Labour to 'get a sense of humour'
Women and equalities minister Theresa May has urged Labour MPs to get a "sense of humour", following the prime minister's "calm down dear" quip.
Thursday 5th May 2011MPs launch policing priorities survey
A group of MPs has launched an online survey for the public aiming to build a "people's police service".
Thursday 5th May 2011What does the Clerk of the House do?
The clerk of the House of Commons keeps the whole show on the road.
Wednesday 4th May 2011Dunkirk spirit at late night sitting
In the words of one Tory MP, there was a Dunkirk spirit in the tea room last night as the finance bill debate went on into the small hours.
Wednesday 4th May 2011Purdah 'not a Commons rule'
Mr Speaker has said concept of 'purdah', where no policy announcements are made during an election period, is not a rule of the House.
Tuesday 3rd May 2011Obama's light-hearted tribute to the Veep
The Obama administration does have a sense of humour about the gaffes of the vice president.
Tuesday 3rd May 2011Flynn's Royal revolt
Fresh from the Royal Wedding celebrations, MPs will be treated to a broadside against one of The Family later today.
Tuesday 3rd May 2011One month is a long time in the Lords
House of Lords reform progressed at the less than brisk pace of an elderly Baroness this afternoon.
Thursday 28th April 2011Fox praises Cameron's leadership...of the coalition
Liam Fox has left the door open to the possibility that he may wish to lead the Conservatives in future after he praised David Cameron's leadership of the coalition, but not the Tory party itself.
Thursday 28th April 2011Hunt toasts Royal couple with Shakespeare
The culture secretary today used the words of the nation's greatest playwright to toast the Royal couple ahead of tomorrow's nuptials.
Thursday 28th April 2011Benn - the Commons comedian
The business statement is one of the must-see events of the parliamentary week, mainly because of shadow leader Hilary Benn.
Thursday 28th April 2011MP calls for 'hooter' to silence PM
A "hooter" should be installed in the Commons to correct the prime minister's factual errors, a Labour MP has suggested.
Thursday 28th April 2011MP calls for chamber Twitter screen
An MP has called for a screen to be installed in the Commons chamber so Members can follow Twitter at all times.
Thursday 28th April 2011Labour MP targets Parliament's rifle range
The existence of a rifle range within the Palace of Westminster contributes to the "continued sniping" about how un-family friendly Parliament is, Labour MP Diana Johnson has said.
Thursday 28th April 2011Nightmare on Downing Street
Whatever you do don't fall asleep, lest you have erotic dreams about the chancellor.
Thursday 28th April 2011Dr Fox and the art of dual speak
Dr Fox spoke at length, but gave very little away during his defence committee appearance.
Wednesday 27th April 2011Is Cam more sexist than the DT?
Westminster watchers disagree over David Cameron's 'calm down dear' remark to Angela Eagle at PMQS.
Wednesday 27th April 2011Tory MP questions how hard Clegg works
Nick Clegg spends "as much time as necessary" on his official duties.
Wednesday 27th April 2011A quiet reminder of Lib Dem independence
Not one Liberal Democrat MP voted in favour of Dominic Raab's anti-strike bill while 20 voted against.
Wednesday 27th April 2011Lansley surrounded on NHS reforms
The Easter recess and a sharp haircut can’t hide the obvious: it's been a rough month for Andrew Lansley and it's clear that he is firefighting on a number of fronts.
Tuesday 26th April 2011MPs call for elected committee of selection
The committee of selection should be elected in the same way select committees are, says Sarah Woolaston.
Tuesday 26th April 2011SamCam odds on to go blue for Royal Wedding
Following the prime minister's U-turn over whether to wear a morning suit to the Royal Wedding, speculation now turns to his wife's chosen ensemble.
Tuesday 26th April 2011Mastermind champion to run Lords
A Mastermind champion will be introduced as the new Clerk of the Parliaments this afternoon.
Tuesday 26th April 2011Nicked! The Clegg musical
Nick Clegg has been given the hip hop treatment, portrayed as the tragic hero in a new musical production.
Tuesday 26th April 2011Tom Watson backs recall over Libya
The tech-friendly MP for West Bromwich East, has gone online to back a recall of Parliament.
Wednesday 20th April 2011Lib Dem calls for more MEPs
Tories are not impressed with proposals from the European parliament's constitutional affairs committee for 25 new MEPs.
Wednesday 20th April 2011Is Eric Illsley the exception that proves Jim Murphy's rule?
Labour's Jim Murphy says MPs who abuse their expenses will lose votes and seats whatever the electoral system. But at least one former MP proved he could fly.
Tuesday 19th April 2011BBC DG to face Lords committee
Mark Thompson, director general of the BBC, will be in the hot seat next Tuesday when he appears before the Lords communication committee.
Tuesday 19th April 2011Clegg sells constituency home
Nick Clegg has sold his Sheffield constituency home and retuned the profits to the Commons authorities.
Tuesday 19th April 2011Bookies slash odds on no to AV vote
Bookmakers Ladbrokes has said the odds of 'No' votes securing a majority in the AV referendum are tumbling,
Tuesday 19th April 2011Zac attacks 'failing' Commons
Zac Goldsmith has written an article for the New Statesman claiming parliament is failing "in its most basic duties".
Tuesday 19th April 2011Cable backs away from Thatcher bashing
Vince Cable is once again facing backlash for one his speeches, but rather unusually it seems that this time it is for what he didn't say.
Tuesday 19th April 2011Swinson impresses at London Marathon
Lib Dem Jo Swinson was the fastest MP to compete in yesterday's London Marathon.
Monday 18th April 2011Will the Lib Dems win on Sunday?
Conservatives Edward Timpson and Stephen Crabb will be lining up against Lib Dem Jo Swinson to secure a bit of coalition pride.
Friday 15th April 2011Peer declares war on Apple 'theocracy'
Lord Lucas has accused the Apple corporation of censorship.
Friday 15th April 2011Cameron's subtle shift on Libya
The clamour for a recall of parliament is focused around the belief that David Cameron has changed the government's policy on military action in Libya.
Friday 15th April 2011Isaby was right
So an MP has asked for Parliament to be recalled, though whether or not that happens is a matter for the government.
Friday 15th April 2011More MPs slam pro-AV broadcast
A trio of Labour MPs have told the BBC they are seriously angry about the new Yes to AV campaign video.
Thursday 14th April 2011Labour MPs attack 'anti-politics' AV ad
The 'Yes to AV' campaign's election broadcast has been described as the work of "scum" by one Labour front bencher.
Wednesday 13th April 2011Obama continues presidential tradition
Just two US presidents have not visited Elizabeth II in the UK since she was crowned Queen in 1953.
Wednesday 13th April 2011More AV questions
Stephen Metcalfe, the Tory MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, has been asked some deep questions about AV by constituents.
Tuesday 12th April 2011Gillian Duffy strikes again
At least he didn't call her a bigot. Deputy prime minister has been doorstepped by Mrs Gillian Duffy.
Tuesday 12th April 2011Public Whip to close
The free to use Public Whip website which allows people to track how their MP has voted is to shut down due to lack of funds.
Monday 11th April 2011Parly union slams Clegg over interns
Unite the Union's parliamentary branch has hit out at Nick Clegg over interns and social mobility.
Monday 11th April 2011Sunshine heightens terrace tensions
Recess is a special time for hard-working parliamentary researchers.
Monday 11th April 2011MPs 'not fit for purpose' graffiti
Spotted. An attack on multi-cultural London and MPs expenses made not with vitriolic profanity but something much, much worse. Management speak.
Monday 11th April 2011Pubs still top EDM list
An early day motion calling on the government to help community pubs is the most-signed this session.
Thursday 7th April 2011Met chief to deliver terrorism lecture
Sir Paul Stephenson will make his first public address following his recent illness at a Policy Exchange event next month.
Thursday 7th April 2011Rosie moves writ for Leicester South
Shadow chief whip Rosie Winterton has moved the writ for the Leicester South by-election.
Wednesday 6th April 2011Peers hear a different version of social mobility statement
Lord McNally apologises for "repeating" a statement no one had heard before.
Wednesday 6th April 2011Tony Wright back in the Palace
Two MPs from the last Parliament will be giving evidence to a House of Lords committee tomorrow.
Tuesday 5th April 2011Tories complain about AV leaflet
Conservative MP Alec Shelbrooke has complained about the way that some pro-AV leaflets were sent out.
Tuesday 5th April 2011Could we all be back before Easter?
ConHome's Jonathan Isaby raised a daunting prospect for Parly types today - a recall of Parliament during the Easter recess.
Monday 4th April 2011BBC 'should move to Wellingborough'
An MP has devised a novel suggestion to save money - the BBC should move out of London.
Monday 4th April 2011Kilos 'not really British'
The Coinage (Measurement) Bill, which had its third reading in the Commons on Friday, prompted a stern eyebrow-lift from Mr Peter Bone.
Monday 4th April 2011JRM sets the record straight on halal
The religious nature of food labelling has been raised by Jacob Rees-Mogg in a Commons debate.
Sunday 3rd April 2011Benn mocks Clegg's gaffe
Nick Clegg has been mocked in the Commons for forgetting to turn his microphone off.
Thursday 31st March 2011Bone's love for Vince
Maverick is the word most used to describe Tory MP Peter Bone.
Thursday 31st March 2011