Why would anyone want to become an MP?
Political Fix
Financial Times
4.2 • 1.2K Ratings
🗓️ 23 February 2024
⏱️ 40 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
The chaos in parliament over the vote on a Gaza ceasefire motion has segued into a debate on the threats facing MPs – and the lengths deemed appropriate to safeguard against them. A tumultuous week in politics leaves the fate of the Commons Speaker hanging in the balance. The FT’s Lucy Fisher is joined by colleagues Miranda Green and Stephen Bush to discuss how we got here and why it matters. Plus veteran broadcaster Michael Crick, the brains behind the ‘Tomorrow’s MPs’ initiative, shares his analysis of who the Tories and Labour are selecting to stand as new candidates at the upcoming general election.
Free Links
Backing for wider police powers to protect MPs amid fears of political violence
Gaza vote highlights security fears in parliament
Parliament finds itself in a dangerous position after the Speaker’s intervention
Why are MPs angry with the Commons speaker?
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Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Audrey Tinline. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music and audio mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
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Transcript
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| 0:27.0 | Why would anyone want to become an MP? |
| 0:37.0 | Welcome to Political Fix from the FT with me Lucy Fisher. |
| 0:44.0 | Unidifying, playground politics, political theatrics. |
| 0:49.0 | Just some of the comments after the UK's parliament descended into chaos this week, leaving the future of the Common Speaker in doubt. |
| 0:57.0 | In a week when MP security has been thrown into the spotlight, |
| 1:00.4 | we'll be asking why anyone would sign up for the job and looking at those who are still keen |
| 1:05.6 | And joining me in the studio to discuss this is a very special guest veteran journalist Michael Crick |
| 1:11.1 | Hi Michael. Hello. |
| 1:13.0 | And we'll be coming to you shortly to talk about some fantastic data that you've |
| 1:16.4 | collated around candidates for the next parliament. |
| 1:20.4 | And also joining me are political fix regulars, the FT's Miranda, |
| 1:23.8 | Hi Miranda, hello Lucy and Stephen Bush. Hi Stephen. |
| 1:27.0 | Hi Stephen. |
| 1:28.0 | So let's start talking about the main subject of the week, the absolute chaos we've seen in |
| 1:36.4 | Parliament over a debate on a Gaza ceasefire and how that's left the future of the Speaker, |
| 1:41.7 | Sir Lindsay Hoyle, hanging on the line. |
| 1:45.0 | So let's talk about how these events are related |
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