What would happen if Keir Starmer were incapacitated? Who would be acting prime minister - David Lammy, Lucy Powell, or someone else entirely? And how does scandals and replacing cabinet ministers work with no clear line of succession? Ed and George debate the uncertainties of the parliamentary system in this week’s EMQs. 

They also look at the burgeoning crisis around student loan repayments, reflecting on their own roles in governments that helped get us here, and and on the consequences of successive governments ignoring an issue of such magnitude. A civil servant asks just what MPs mean when they talk about ‘civil service reform’, and the reveal why ministers are always complaining about it. 

Finally, one of Ed’s former students puts them to the test - why do new MPs not receive training on essential policy areas when they arrive in Westminster. They use the experience of new MP Jake Richards and compare it to their own from 20 years ago.

We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.

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Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid & Caitlin Hanrahan  

Video Editor: Avi Asher

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

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