In the first full PoliticsHome podcast under the coronavirus lockdown, Matt Honeycombe-Foster speaks to a range of guests about the impact of the sweeping crisis on UK politics, the economy and families. 

PolHome editor Kevin Schofield has the latest on the big row over testing, protective equipment and ventilators as the government faces 
mounting criticism of the speed of the rollout of crucial interventions.

Then we chat to Conservative MP Rob Halfon about growing calls for a virtual Parliament to keep democracy running in a time of crisis, before the Resolution Foundation's Mike Brewer, Clare McNeil from the IPPR  and Labour MP Alison McGovern from the Treasury select committee talk us through the likely economic toll of the Covid-19 shutdown and explain who needs more help. 

If that wasn't enough, Kevin and Alison give their take on the Labour leadership contest, which has finally come to an end. Can the new Keir, err person, in charge rise to the challenge?

LOCKDOWN POD #1 with MPs Rob Halfon and Alison McGovern

Our weekly podcast from Politics Home discussing all the ups and downs in Westminster. Please subscribe and share - and keep up with all the latest news on PoliticsHome.com. Got a question for the team? news@politicshome.com.

News

PoliticsHome editor Adam Payne and reporter Nadine Batchelor-Hunt take stock of the first week of the general election campaign, plus broadcaster and former MP Gyles Brandreth and journalist Seb Whale join Alain Tolhurst to discuss their books on the secrets of the Whips' Office.


Sign up to The House's new Friday newsletter from Sienna Rogers rounding up the best of the week’s election campaigns here. 
Gyles Brandreth’s republished memoir Breaking the Code is available here.
Pre-order Seb Whale’s new book The Unusual Channels here.


Presented by Alain Tolhurst, produced by Nick Hilton for Podot, edited by Laura Silver.



Whips' secrets || On the campaign trail

Conservative MPs Stephen Hammond and Henry Smith, both of whom have decided not to run for their seats again at the general election, reflect on why they have called it quits on the Commons, and offer some advice for candidates vying to replace them.


Presented by Alain Tolhurst, produced by Nick Hilton for Podot, edited by Laura Silver

MPs bid farewell

Michael Crick, who runs the @tomorrowsMPs Twitter and three prospective parliamentary candidates – Khobi Patterson-Vallis, Conservative candidate for Brighton; Josh Babarinde, Lib Dem candidate for Eastbourne; and Roz Savage, Lib Dems candidate for South Cotswolds, join PoliticsHome's Alain Tolhurst to discuss the secretive process behind who gets to be an MP, and why anyone would want to take on the job. 


Presented by Alain Tolhurst, produced by Nick Hilton for Podot, edited by Laura Silver

Why be an MP?

Conservative MP Mark Garnier, director of research at Labour Together Christabel Cooper, and professor of politics at Queen Mary University Tim Bale join PoliticsHome's Alain Tolhurst to assess the fallout from the local elections which saw huge losses for the Tories across England including the West Midlands mayoralty and a host of bellwether councils. Plus this week’s surprise defection from the Tories to Labour by the MP Natalie Elphicke.


Presented by Alain Tolhurst, produced by Nick Hilton for Podot, edited by Laura Silver

Local wipeout

Alex Thomas, programme director at the Institute for Government, Dr Michelle Clement, researcher in residence at Number 10, and Hugh Bennett, a former Downing Street special adviser, join Alain Tolhurst from PoliticsHome to talk about the problem at the centre of our politics, with Prime Ministers unable to deliver on their ambitions, and whether the three most powerful departments; Number 10, the Cabinet Office and the Treasury, are wrongly configured.


Presented by Alain Tolhurst, produced by Nick Hilton for Podot, edited by Laura Silver

LOCKDOWN POD #1 with MPs Rob Halfon and Alison McGovern

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