Deborah Frances-White and John Bercow get in to the thick of it by exploring the misunderstood and often undemocratic role of Special Advisers (SPADs) and Spin Doctors.  Do they wield Malcolm Tucker-esque power or are they merely convenient scapegoats? Find out on Absolute Power. Website: https://absolutepowerpod.comYou can send us an email: mail@absolutepowerpod.comWe’re on Twitter as: @bercowpowerpod
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1.4 SPADs and Spin Doctors

Deborah Frances-White quizzes former speaker John Bercow about how British democracy really works. The instruments of power in the UK are often arcane, confusing and bizarre – but understanding how they operate is key to wielding them effectively – and as citizens, we need to be aware of what those in power can and can’t do. With a governing party which is using those instruments more ruthlessly than any government in recent memory, it’s more important than ever to appreciate how we got here and what we can do about it. Former Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow is an ideal guide through this dense thicket of tradition, legislation, convention and constitution. But rather than giving a lecture, we will present this guide in the form of a conversation between him and Deborah Frances-White. Familiar from her hit podcast The Guilty Feminist as well as her award-winning BBC Radio 4 show Rolls the Dice and countless other TV and radio appearances, Deborah has a keen interest in human rights and how governments use and abuse their power. But, raised in Australia, and not having spent a career in parliament she – like most people – doesn’t know in detail how a lot of these aspects of government actually work. By asking the questions likely to be in the mind of the audience, she can engage the listeners as they go with her and John on their journey through the corridors of power. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

News

Government

In the process of making the series, we found one thing came up again and again. BREXIT. In the interest in keeping each episode focussed we realised quickly there wasn’t time to keep all the Brexit related content in but realised that a large behind the scenes chunk of the story was being told. We’ve collected the clips and present them here.Website: https://absolutepowerpod.comYou can send us an email: mail@absolutepowerpod.comWe’re on Twitter as: @bercowpowerpod
 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bonus episode - Brexit

We get to the most important question of all, How does one Become an MP? Is it backstabbing and elbowing? Or is it just stomaching some poorly cooked dinners? This is the last recording of this series, but next week there will be a bonus outtakes episode touching on one of the most contentious events in modern British history - Brexit.Website: https://absolutepowerpod.comYou can send us an email: mail@absolutepowerpod.comWe’re on Twitter as: @bercowpowerpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1.10 How to Become an MP

John and Deborah tread through the secret corridors to get to one of the strangest and most misunderstood elements of the British Political system, The House of Lords! What do they do? How are they allowed to still be doing it? Are they worth it, or just born with it?Website: https://absolutepowerpod.comYou can send us an email: mail@absolutepowerpod.comWe’re on Twitter as: @bercowpowerpod
 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1.09 The House of Lords

Statutory Instruments. What are they and can we trust Priti Patel to weild them on our behalf?Website: https://absolutepowerpod.comYou can send us an email: mail@absolutepowerpod.comWe’re on Twitter as: @bercowpowerpod
 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1.08 Statutory Instruments

John Bercow and Deborah Frances-White go all the way to the back bench to discover how Parliamentary our system really is. What’s the point in staying in the shadows? Why does getting close to the PM’s family not always work out? What do the Backbench hold over the PM?Website: https://absolutepowerpod.comYou can send us an email: mail@absolutepowerpod.comWe’re on Twitter as: @bercowpowerpod
 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1.4 SPADs and Spin Doctors

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