Parliament Explained

Join writer and comedian Meera Syal for Episode 1 as she discovers the difference between Parliament and the Government, how the Government is formed, and the roles of the Shadow Cabinet, backbenchers, crossbenchers and the Whips. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trailer for this award-winning podcast exploring the UK Parliament - the people who work there, the processes MPs and members of the House of Lords follow, and the role of the public can play in how decisions are made.The podcast is presented by writer and comedian Meera Syal and features Parliamentarians and Parliament staff. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join writer and comedian Meera Syal for Episode 6 to hear how you can get involved in your UK Parliament. From contacting your MP or a member of the Lords to sharing your views with a select committee, and of course by voting, you can have your say in how the country is run. Guests include Helen Jones MP, Chair of the House of Commons Petitions Select Committee, and Maria Lester, whose petition calling for increased funding for brain tumour research ultimately led to Government action. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join writer and comedian Meera Syal for Episode 5 as she explores how Parliament most directly affects our lives - by creating and changing the law. Learn how draft laws are debated and improved as they make their way through the House of Commons and the House of Lords before they can become the law of the land, with the help of Parliament clerks Katy Stout and Nicole Mason. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join writer and comedian Meera Syal for Episode 4 as she steps away from the Chambers to discover another vital tool of Parliamentary scrutiny - influential 'select committees' of MPs and Peers who consider policy issues, check and challenge the work and spending of the Government, and examine proposals for new and changed laws. Meera's guests include The Rt. Hon the Baroness Corston, who talks about the committee she led, which investigated the problem of social mobility in young people. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join writer and comedian Meera Syal for Episode 3 as she hears how Parliament uses questions and debates to check and challenge the work of the Government. Learn more about how members of the Commons and the Lords can use tough, unanticipated questions to grill Ministers during daily question sessions, and discover the important roles that the Speaker and the Lord Speaker play in the work of Parliament. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join writer and comedian Meera Syal for Episode 2 as she meets the doorkeepers of the House of Lords and the House of Commons to find out what a typical day in Parliament involves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.