logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2024
26m 14s

Commotion and a no confidence motion: Wh...

SKY NEWS
About this episode
The third largest party in the House of Commons, the SNP, says it doesn't have confidence in its Speaker, Lindsay Hoyle.

The Speaker himself says he took decisions about how MPs debated and voted on calls for a ceasefire in Gaza because he wanted as broad a discussion as possible.

He's apologised but said the safety of MPs on such a divisive issue was also on his mind.

With thousands dead in Gaza and war continuing, the optics of MPs rowing about Commons procedure - rather than debating important international issues - have not sat well with everyone.

Niall Paterson speaks to Dr Hannah White from the Institute for Government about why she thinks it's another example supporting the case for parliamentary reform.

Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood describes it as his "worst day in Parliament". He recently had dozens of anti-Israel protesters gather outside his home.

And chief political correspondent Jon Craig picks over how the chamber moves on from this - and whether Lindsay Hoyle will stay in his job.

Producers: Soila Apparicio, Alex Edden
Assistant producer: Evan Dale
Interviews producer: Melissa Tutesigensi-Charles
Editor: Paul Stanworth
Up next
Apr 2025
'Defiled and looted' - returning home during the Sudan war
Civil war has been raging in Sudan for two years. The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has seen famine, destruction, and millions driven from their homes. Among them, the family and friends of our Africa correspondent Yous ... Show More
16m 11s
Apr 2025
Did Trump just win the election for Canada’s Mark Carney
Mark Carney's Liberals have won the Canadian election in a remarkable turnaround for the centre-left party.      The Liberal Party was well behind in the polls just months ago.  That's before Carney replaced Justin Trudeau as leader and US President Donald Trump soured relations ... Show More
14m 52s
Apr 2025
From Shanghai to Scunthorpe - what's China's influence on UK industry?
British Steel's Scunthorpe steelworks are now effectively under government control after the business secretary said Chinese owner Jingye had decided to stop buying enough raw materials to keep the blast furnaces going.  Jonathan Reynolds said the government took the action as st ... Show More
14m 17s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2024
Westminster’s Gaza disgrace – Politics Weekly UK
House of Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle made a dramatic apology today for his handling of a Gaza ceasefire vote that sent the commons into chaos. The Guardian’s John Harris spent the day in Westminster speaking to protestors, Labour MP Rachael Maskell, and the Guardian’ politi ... Show More
30m 52s
Feb 2024
Why would anyone want to become an MP?
<p>The chaos in parliament over the vote on a Gaza ceasefire motion has segued into a debate on the threats facing MPs&nbsp;–&nbsp;and the lengths deemed appropriate to safeguard against them. A tumultuous week in politics leaves the fate of the Commons Speaker hanging in the bal ... Show More
38m 53s
Oct 2023
Britain’s Not Got Talent? Plus Labour’s response to war in Gaza
War in Gaza is getting worse by the day. How is Labour and the rest of Europe dealing with the conflict between Israel and Hamas? TIME writer Yasmeen Serhan has been speaking to people inside the war zone – she shares what she’s learned from those conversations. Plus, who on Eart ... Show More
54m 39s
Nov 2023
What does David Cameron's return to government mean for the UK?
David Cameron stunned Britain when he quit as Prime Minister after the Brexit referendum. Now, he's triggered another political earthquake, making a shock return as Foreign Secretary. That follows the sacking of an interior minister who tried and failed to suppress major demonstr ... Show More
26m 49s
Oct 2023
The UK politics of Israel-Palestine
Over the weekend, Palestinian flags flooded central London as thousands marched for 'Free Palestine'. But has legitimate support for the rights of Palestinian citizens been merged with more sinister support, or acquiescence of, the presence of Hamas, a deeply illiberal, misogynis ... Show More
37m 14s
Oct 2023
Israel-Gaza: The West Bank Strike
The Israeli military says it was a targeted attack against Hamas.Paddy and Victoria talk about the operation with chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet.And chief political correspondent Henry Zeffman assesses the Conservatives’ electoral prospects after two by-election de ... Show More
26m 36s
Sep 2018
"It's going to be a you-know-what-show"
<p>As MPs return to Westminster,&nbsp;Matt Chorley assembles a crack team of former political spin doctors to diagnose the problems in their parties, and their long-term chances of survival.</p><br><p><strong>Katie Perrior,&nbsp;</strong>who was&nbsp;Theresa May's<strong>&nbsp;</ ... Show More
36m 47s
Nov 2021
The return of 'Tory sleaze'? Owen Paterson and the rules on MPs lobbying
A debate on changing the procedure by which standards in Parliament are upheld last week led to a backlash from MPs - and a major u-turn. So, as the government defends itself against allegations of 'sleaze', where, does it leave the current system of policing standards in Westmin ... Show More
35m 16s
Oct 2023
Israel-Gaza: Fear For Hostages Taken By Hamas
Hundreds of people have been killed and kidnapped as fighting in Israel and Gaza continues.The BBC’s security correspondent Frank Gardner is on to discuss what we know about the situation.And after Sir Keir Starmer’s Sunday morning interview, Victoria and Paddy chat to chief poli ... Show More
26m 51s
Jun 2024
Why are Labour calling Sunak a liar?
<p>Rishi Sunak accused Keir Starmer of planning to put people's taxes up by £2,000 if he got into power - sums he said had been independently verified. This morning we learned they werent, after a top civil servant put the record straight. </p><p>Labour are calling the PM a liar ... Show More
34m 38s