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Hello and welcome to the Westminster Hour with me, Ben Wright, and my guests. We will be

examining the government's plans to overhaul the asylum system, a system the Home Secretary

has said is tearing the country apart. Will it work? Will it be enough to slow the rise of

reform? Will MPs get on board? Will it be enough to slow the rise of reform? Will

MPs get on board? After a bruising week for the government, we'll be exploring where the rumpus

leaves the Prime Minister's leadership and we'll explore the long history of bruising

bust-ups between politicians and the BBC. That's all coming up. First, let's meet my panel.

Joe Powell has been the Labour MP for Kensington and Bayswater in West London since the last

general election. Before entering Parliament, he campaigned against dirty money in the UK and around

the world. Joe, it's been a tricky week for the government to say the least. Pre-budget chaos,

the extraordinary briefing debacle against West Streeting. I guess you'll be glad to get to Christmas say the least. Pre-budget chaos, the extraordinary briefing debacle

against West Streeting. I guess you'll be glad to get to Christmas. And the shops are full

of festive paraphernalia I noticed this weekend. Is that cheering you up or is it all far too soon?

Well, as someone that still has four pumpkins outside their house from Halloween,

I'm all for cheering up the neighbourhood. So, no, we can have the Christmas

decorations. That's all right. Richard Holden, sitting next to you, is the Conservative MP for

Basilden and Biller Ricky. He's a former chairman of the Tory party and is currently the shadow

Secretary of State for Transport. When the moment comes, will you be driving home for Christmas, Richard, or going on a bus? You're a big fan of buses. I know that. I think I might actually be, so I'm going to see my mum and dad this year. And they came, they've been to me previously, but this year, me and my two brothers are all going home. So I'll be doing a bit of, I think I'll be doing a bit of bus train, tube,

and God knows what else.

Every element of your brief.

Yes, indeed. I was on one of your BBC shows in BBC East this week and I ended up

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