02/05/2026
The Week in Westminster
BBC
4.0 • 258 Ratings
🗓️ 2 May 2026
⏱️ 28 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
The appointment of Peter Mandelson as US Ambassador dominated Commons proceedings again this week. Isabel discusses where it leaves Sir Keir Starmer's authority with Labour MP Sarah Champion and Conservative MP Sir Bernard Jenkin.
Isabel discusses the Golders Green attack where two Jewish men were stabbed with Labour peer, John Mann who has served as the UK government's Independent Adviser on Antisemitism since 2019.
Earlier this week, a report on the health of the nation was published showing a drop in the number of healthy years that British people can expect live to. Former Conservative health minister Steve Brine and Labour MP, Anna Dixon who used to work in health policy review the findings.
And, with local elections in England, the Scottish parliament and Welsh assembly next week, Isabel brings together Conservative peer and political anaylst Robert Hayward and Sienna Rodgers, the deputy editor of The House Magazine for their predictions.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | This is Isabel Hardman from The Spectator with the Week in Westminster. |
| 0:10.9 | It's the end, not just of this week in Westminster, but of the parliamentary session. |
| 0:15.5 | We do, in his majesty's name and in obedience to his majesty's commands, |
| 0:25.0 | prologue this Parliament to Wednesday the 13th day of May. |
| 0:28.6 | That was the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, |
| 0:30.9 | wrapping things up ahead of the King's speech, |
| 0:35.3 | with the King basking in praise for his successful state visit to the US. |
| 0:39.1 | But just before Parliament closed for business, we were treated to one final Prime Minister's questions between Sir Kier-Stama and Kemi Bejanok. |
| 0:45.2 | It's the end of this session and what a contrast with the beginning, Mr Speaker. |
| 0:50.5 | Back in July 2024, those benches were full of sycophantic questions from adoring new MPs. |
| 0:58.8 | Yesterday, the Prime Minister was reduced to begging those same MPs to save his own skin. |
| 1:09.4 | The Prime Minister was keen to put the Conservative leader back in her place. |
| 1:14.8 | He dismissed the Tory's failed attempt on Tuesday |
| 1:17.4 | to force an investigation into whether he misled Parliament |
| 1:21.1 | over Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador. |
| 1:24.7 | This House considered our motion and rejected it decisively because everyone saw it |
| 1:29.7 | for what it was, a desperate, baseless political stunt ahead of the May elections. This week |
| 1:36.4 | also saw more hotly anticipated sessions of the Foreign Affairs Committee, continuing its |
| 1:41.4 | inquiry into Peter Mandelson's betting. It heard evidence from Keir Stalmers' former top aide, Morgan McSweeney, and ex-foreign Office |
| 1:49.7 | permanent secretary, Sir Philip Barton. |
| 1:52.8 | So where does all this leave the Prime Minister's authority? |
| 1:56.8 | I brought together two senior MPs, Conservative Sir Bernard Jenkin and Labour's Sarah Champion. |
... |
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