You're listening to a podcast from the BBC World Service. This is Hard Talk with me, Stephen Sacker.

Thanks for downloading this edition of the program. I do hope you enjoy it.

Welcome to Hard Talk on the BBC World Service. I'm Stephen Sacker.

Britain's Brexit psychodrama is entering its most intense phase.

The EU has made its final offer on the departure deal and the deadlines.

The UK really cannot put off making decisions any longer.

Either the deal Theresa May negotiated with the EU 27 gets parliamentary approval, or the UK leaves with no deal,

or it accepts a prolonged delay to Brexit, which could quite conceivably mean it never happens at all.

As the country agonises over its choices, there are splits and divisions everywhere,

between the government and parliamentarians, within both main political parties,

and between the political class and a mightily frustrated public.

Something has to happen very soon, but it's not clear what it will be.

My guest is former Conservative Minister and the

longest serving MP, Ken Clark. He's seen a lot of political drama in his career, but has

British politics ever been in a more parlous state? Well, he joins me now. Ken Clark, welcome to

Hard Talk.

Glad to be here.

You have the rather wonderful title of Father of the House,

because you're the longest serving MP.

You've seen a lot in your time,

but have you ever seen Westminster as febrile,

as hysterical and as utterly unproductive as it is today?

...