0:00:02 > 0:00:06This is the House Of Commons as you've never seen it before.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10Locking!
0:00:10 > 0:00:13With unprecedented access, we've been filming behind the scenes
0:00:13 > 0:00:14for a year.
0:00:16 > 0:00:17That's where our laws are set,
0:00:17 > 0:00:19these are the people that we're run by.
0:00:19 > 0:00:23It's been a year of round-the-clock plotting and high drama.
0:00:23 > 0:00:26Something just snapped in the head and I just said,
0:00:26 > 0:00:28"Keep your trap shut."
0:00:28 > 0:00:31All played out in the ancient Palace of Westminster,
0:00:31 > 0:00:33that's in danger of collapse.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35The last thing you want to see is your government building
0:00:35 > 0:00:38fall apart because that means your government's falling apart.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40In this episode, we have a backstage view
0:00:40 > 0:00:42when the Queen comes to open Parliament.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46The frillies, the jabot and the cuffs.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50We'll have to repair that later.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53Talking to a Tory? No, I've never spoken to a Tory in me life!
0:00:53 > 0:00:58And we see the lengths to which MPs will go to make their voices heard.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02I once prepared a 24-hour speech.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06As front and back benchers fight to control the agenda
0:01:06 > 0:01:08in the countdown to the general election.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22It's mid-May, 2014...
0:01:22 > 0:01:23and in three weeks,
0:01:23 > 0:01:27the Queen will arrive to open the new parliamentary term.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35Everything must be spick and span for Her Majesty.
0:01:37 > 0:01:38Steady, Graham.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40Graham's stopped again, as usual!
0:01:42 > 0:01:47Craftsmen are sprucing up the Royal Apartments in the House Of Lords.
0:01:47 > 0:01:52That's what I like about this, the coronation damask.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54Lovely. It's the original damask that was
0:01:54 > 0:01:57used in the coronation in 1953.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59Ain't it beautiful?
0:02:00 > 0:02:04John Dowzell has worked for 30 years on the lighting
0:02:04 > 0:02:06for Westminster state occasions.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09We weren't allowed to light these pictures when the French president
0:02:09 > 0:02:15came...because they're both Nelson and Trafalgar and Waterloo.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19From here, seated beside her husband in the chamber of the
0:02:19 > 0:02:22House Of Lords, the Queen will make her speech to open Parliament.
0:02:24 > 0:02:25The throne is now lit,
0:02:25 > 0:02:29but now we're checking to see if Her Majesty's got two nose shadows.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32Her Majesty only has one nose.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37At the opposite end of the Palace Of Westminster, in the Commons,
0:02:37 > 0:02:40parliamentary officials from both Houses are rehearsing in plain
0:02:40 > 0:02:44clothes for the piece of theatre that's come to define
0:02:44 > 0:02:45the State Opening.
0:02:45 > 0:02:50It represents a pivotal moment in Commons history.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53The last reigning monarch to set foot in the House of Commons chamber
0:02:53 > 0:02:57was Charles I and it followed his coming into the chamber to demand
0:02:57 > 0:03:00the arrest of five Members Of Parliament.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04This was one of the defining acts that led to the Civil War
0:03:04 > 0:03:06and when we came back to what is known as a constitutional
0:03:06 > 0:03:08monarchy, so there were certain checks and balances
0:03:08 > 0:03:11and one of which was that the monarch would never interfere
0:03:11 > 0:03:14with politics and the affairs of the House Of Commons.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18The Lords' official known as Black Rod will play the star role.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23The doors will be slammed in Black Rod's face.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27Because Black Rod is the messenger of the Queen.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35Having slammed it in his face, we open the doors and he's admitted.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37Open the door.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40So, it's just a little annual reminder of the independence
0:03:40 > 0:03:42of the Commons from the sovereign.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45I like that, you know, reminder that the
0:03:45 > 0:03:49independence of the House Of Commons has had to be won over centuries,
0:03:49 > 0:03:54and even now we like to slam that door and remind the monarchy
0:03:54 > 0:03:57that we are the elected representatives of the people.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02Though it's called the Queen's Speech, it is
0:04:02 > 0:04:05in fact written for her by the Cameron government...
0:04:06 > 0:04:11..and will outline the coalition's pre-election plans, but a number
0:04:11 > 0:04:13of backbenchers, on both sides of the House,
0:04:13 > 0:04:15have different ideas about
0:04:15 > 0:04:19what issues they want to pursue in Parliament in the coming year.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22One of them is the Conservative MP Robert Halfon.
0:04:23 > 0:04:28So, my breakfast is often a cigar and either a Coke or a coffee,
0:04:28 > 0:04:31a diet Coke...which is very unhealthy,
0:04:31 > 0:04:34but it's very relaxing to smoke on the way in.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36Robert Halfon is a new MP,
0:04:36 > 0:04:41one of 35% who won seats at the last general election.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45I got elected in 2010, but it's something I always wanted to do
0:04:45 > 0:04:49since I was...ten years old, I was one of those terrible people who
0:04:49 > 0:04:53joined the Young Conservatives at 14 and worked in Parliament
0:04:53 > 0:04:57for MPs in different capacities at various points in my life.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00Having said that, I have sold double glazing before
0:05:00 > 0:05:04and debt collecting services and done other kinds of work
0:05:04 > 0:05:06but most of it has been politics.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10It's been a passion, it's a way of life.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14Robert Halfon was born with a form of cerebral palsy.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17Although he's a Tory MP, he's been a highly effective
0:05:17 > 0:05:20campaigner against his own party.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23He's already pressured the government to freeze fuel duty, to
0:05:23 > 0:05:28cut the bingo tax, and stop visitors being charged to go up Big Ben.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32The Chancellor, George Osborne, reportedly dubbed him
0:05:32 > 0:05:35"the most expensive MP in Parliament."
0:05:35 > 0:05:37How many hospitals have we e-mailed now?
0:05:37 > 0:05:38500.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40And there are how many altogether? 1,000?
0:05:40 > 0:05:42With a new term about to begin,
0:05:42 > 0:05:46he isn't waiting for the Queen's Speech, he's planning his own
0:05:46 > 0:05:49campaign to ban parking charges in NHS hospitals,
0:05:49 > 0:05:53with Emily his researcher, and Maria his press secretary.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56Do we have an average figure for hospital car parking charges?
0:05:56 > 0:06:01No, the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, it's £20 a day.
0:06:01 > 0:06:02£20 a day, OK.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06I get a lot of e-mails because people really, really hate it.
0:06:06 > 0:06:07Because it's so unjust.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12Robert Halfon is again aiming to take on his own party's leaders.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17Most of the campaigns I've done, which are national campaigns,
0:06:17 > 0:06:20have really come about because of local people writing to me,
0:06:20 > 0:06:22these guys give me a slap if I'm doing stuff that isn't really
0:06:22 > 0:06:25relevant to my constituents, literally, by the way!
0:06:25 > 0:06:26Especially Maria!
0:06:26 > 0:06:28Oh, no! No!
0:06:30 > 0:06:33He's been such an effective campaigner against his own
0:06:33 > 0:06:36government's policies that he's now the butt of a running joke
0:06:36 > 0:06:40from Labour MPs in the Commons, that he's in the wrong party.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44Can we have a statement on nurses' pay and hospital car parking charges
0:06:44 > 0:06:45so that we can...?
0:06:45 > 0:06:48The Labour frontbencher Thomas Docherty has become
0:06:48 > 0:06:50Robert Halfon's biggest taunter.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55..to suggest that the honourable member opposite keeps his trap
0:06:55 > 0:06:56shut because...
0:06:57 > 0:07:01No, that's enough, order! That was tasteless.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05I'd had enough because he did it last week, as well, and something
0:07:05 > 0:07:09just snapped in the head and I just said, "Keep your trap shut."
0:07:12 > 0:07:15Thomas Docherty is also one of the 2010 intake...
0:07:18 > 0:07:20..and he's already been promoted to the front bench.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24Cheers. You're a star.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26He's deputy to Angela Eagle, who's Labour's
0:07:26 > 0:07:29Shadow Leader Of The Commons.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33By the way, 17 years today, Labour landslide.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36Thomas, text me with how many people are standing up.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38Part of his job is to negotiate as much
0:07:38 > 0:07:42time as possible on the floor of the House, for Labour issues.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46In doing so, to his surprise he sometimes finds himself
0:07:46 > 0:07:48working with the enemy.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51One of the things that you learn quite quickly when you become
0:07:51 > 0:07:53a Member Of Parliament is that actually if you want to
0:07:53 > 0:07:56achieve something, one of the things you have to do is make allies.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59Not just on your own side and with the other parties on your side,
0:07:59 > 0:08:01but with the opposition as well.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04You have to work together to work the system.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10It's a week before the Queen's Speech.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13And John Dowzell, the lighting director,
0:08:13 > 0:08:16is in the midst of his preparations.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19The Palace of Westminster is a maze of tunnels and towers,
0:08:19 > 0:08:23and the wiring system required to light the State Opening takes
0:08:23 > 0:08:25Dowzell to its highest turret.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29Was this the size of people many years ago, to try
0:08:29 > 0:08:31and get through these little doorways?
0:08:39 > 0:08:41Just tip it up a bit, that one.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43There was a mishap here one year.
0:08:43 > 0:08:48The Sovereign was in the House Of Lords but everybody...all the Commons
0:08:48 > 0:08:52walks through and everybody walks through and all this went out.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54Strain!
0:08:54 > 0:08:55Yeah!
0:08:55 > 0:08:56Pull!
0:08:56 > 0:08:58On the eve of the big day,
0:08:58 > 0:09:01MPs take on the House Of Lords in a symbolic battle.
0:09:12 > 0:09:17The women MPs' team is captained by the Conservative Penny Mordaunt.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19She's been chosen by David Cameron to open
0:09:19 > 0:09:22the debate in the Commons after the Queen's Speech.
0:09:26 > 0:09:31It's a great honour, I'm the first woman to do it in 57 years,
0:09:31 > 0:09:34only the second woman ever in the Queen's reign.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38That's very stressful, we're very used to speaking in Parliament
0:09:38 > 0:09:40but you're supposed to be funny.
0:09:40 > 0:09:41You're supposed to be funny
0:09:41 > 0:09:44and not too political which is very difficult.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51It's the morning of the State Opening.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57And for the Commons' top brass, it's best bib and tucker.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59For the Speaker, John Bercow...
0:09:59 > 0:10:03This is the state robe that I wear on the occasion of the
0:10:03 > 0:10:05State Opening.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09..the Serjeant at Arms, Lawrence Ward, who's in charge of security...
0:10:10 > 0:10:14The frillies, the jabot and the cuffs, I will wear
0:10:14 > 0:10:16when there is a Head Of State that visits.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19..the Clerk of the House, Sir Robert Rogers...
0:10:19 > 0:10:20There we are! All done!
0:10:21 > 0:10:23..and the Principal Doorkeeper, Robin Fell.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26That's the Police Long Service Medal, that's
0:10:26 > 0:10:30the Order Of St John, and that's the Order Of The British Empire.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32I might have been excited on my first two or three,
0:10:32 > 0:10:34but I don't get excited now.
0:10:34 > 0:10:35Mildly apprehensive.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44There's something strange going on in the cellars.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55The Yeomen Of The Guard are tapping the floor in their ritual
0:10:55 > 0:10:57search for barrels of gunpowder.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04It's quite good, innit? I find that quite moving.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09It goes back to Guy Fawkes, it's more ceremonial now.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12All go marching through.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18One, good, good.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21As the Commons' Doorkeepers line up for their annual group photo,
0:11:21 > 0:11:25the Serjeant at Arms realises he's forgotten his white gloves.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28Robin? Me, Richie and Leslie haven't got our gloves,
0:11:28 > 0:11:29shall we get the others to take theirs off?
0:11:29 > 0:11:32Could the associates remove their gloves, please?
0:11:32 > 0:11:33I'll tell you why later.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40Please have a great day, you know, today is about fun, good luck.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44All done. Everything's on, everything's...go.
0:11:46 > 0:11:50Except for one little bulb which is going to be done now.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52And then we're going for breakfast,
0:11:52 > 0:11:55a beautiful poached egg in the House Of Lords canteen.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06It's 11am and the Queen has set off from her Palace to the
0:12:06 > 0:12:07one in Westminster.
0:12:08 > 0:12:13And MPs head to the Commons chamber to await the summons from Black Rod.
0:12:20 > 0:12:21Got a clean shirt, have you?
0:12:21 > 0:12:24This is a brand-new shirt, brand-new.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27Well, not brand-new, it's brand-new and cleaned, so...
0:12:27 > 0:12:29Look at this! Product!
0:12:29 > 0:12:30God, what have you had done?
0:12:30 > 0:12:33Stevie Marriott, that is, it's not Weller, is it?
0:12:33 > 0:12:36Look round the back... the bloody back!
0:12:38 > 0:12:40I'm going to hide in that doorway
0:12:40 > 0:12:44so that I get a...get into...close to the front of the queue.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47So, you know, a historic moment of our country, really,
0:12:47 > 0:12:51it's the last Queen's Speech before the general election
0:12:51 > 0:12:54of a coalition government, so it's a special moment.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58FANFARE
0:13:02 > 0:13:04This is where it all counts, when you see this,
0:13:04 > 0:13:09see the Queen walking through there you think it's...fantastic.
0:13:09 > 0:13:10Proud, eh, Rob?
0:13:10 > 0:13:11Yeah, definitely.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15My Lords, pray be seated.
0:13:19 > 0:13:20He's a nice man, Black Rod.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24I'm not saying that John Bercow ain't!
0:13:26 > 0:13:27Close the west door!
0:13:27 > 0:13:29Close the door!
0:13:40 > 0:13:43We'll have to repair that later, when we're off!
0:13:43 > 0:13:44It is Black Rod!
0:13:46 > 0:13:47Open the door!
0:13:51 > 0:13:53As Black Rod enters the chamber,
0:13:53 > 0:13:58MPs are bracing themselves for another, rather newer, tradition.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09Her Majesty the Queen commands this honourable House,
0:14:09 > 0:14:13attends Her Majesty immediately in the House Of Peers.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16Coalition's last stand!
0:14:16 > 0:14:19LAUGHTER
0:14:19 > 0:14:23Coalition's last stand.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25Dennis Skinner now has an important constitutional
0:14:25 > 0:14:28role as part of the pageantry of the State Opening, that you need him
0:14:28 > 0:14:29to make his sarcastic comment
0:14:29 > 0:14:31and when he finally retires,
0:14:31 > 0:14:33somebody else will have to take that role on.
0:14:34 > 0:14:39At 11:30, MPs are ushered through to the Lords, where they'll
0:14:39 > 0:14:41stand behind the peers to hear the speech.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48Labour MP Steve Rotheram is giving it a miss.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52Given that I've done it a few times previously, and it's not
0:14:52 > 0:14:56the most dynamic thing that you can be involved in and the Lords gets
0:14:56 > 0:15:01particularly packed and very sweaty, I decided to stay in the chamber.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05For the leaders, it's the chance for an informal chat.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07But what do they talk about?
0:15:07 > 0:15:09David Cameron and I often talk about our families
0:15:09 > 0:15:14because we've both got young kids, and we compare notes on the struggle
0:15:14 > 0:15:18to combine being a politician with having a family life.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21- THE QUEEN:- A key priority for my ministers will be to continue to
0:15:21 > 0:15:25build an economy that rewards those who work hard.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29My government will reduce the use of plastic carrier bags,
0:15:29 > 0:15:32to help protect the environment.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36Back in his office, Steve Rotheram decodes the speech.
0:15:36 > 0:15:41I'll continue to deliver on its long-term plan to build a stronger
0:15:41 > 0:15:43economy and a fairer society,
0:15:43 > 0:15:47and I actually think she means, "My government's legislative programme
0:15:47 > 0:15:50"will make a valiant attempt to strengthen the economies of London
0:15:50 > 0:15:55"and the South East, in order to benefit the wealthiest in society."
0:15:55 > 0:15:59- THE QUEEN:- Legislation will be brought forward to tackle avoidance.
0:15:59 > 0:16:00As MPs return to the Commons,
0:16:00 > 0:16:04they've heard a speech that promises to end modern slavery,
0:16:04 > 0:16:07cap welfare benefits, reward pensioners
0:16:07 > 0:16:10and give constituents more power over their MPs.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12But on both sides of the Commons,
0:16:12 > 0:16:16there's a feeling that in the fifth year of the fixed-term Parliament,
0:16:16 > 0:16:19the coalition is running out of steam.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22Rather surprised we're legislating about plastic bags.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26What we've got is some kind of tactical thing that they've cobbled
0:16:26 > 0:16:30together at the last minute because they can't agree on the big issues.
0:16:30 > 0:16:31There's inevitably going to be less in it,
0:16:31 > 0:16:35especially at the end of a coalition government because there's less
0:16:35 > 0:16:37agreement with the parties to that coalition, and also
0:16:37 > 0:16:40because it is just coming to the end of the parliamentary session.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42One notable omission from the speech,
0:16:42 > 0:16:45because the coalition can't agree on it,
0:16:45 > 0:16:48is the vexatious subject of an EU referendum,
0:16:48 > 0:16:52leaving the Euro-sceptics far from happy.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56There was nothing in the Queen's Speech about Europe today, obviously.
0:16:56 > 0:16:57Hi there, all right?
0:16:57 > 0:17:01- Thank you for considering that, Prime Minister.- Thank you.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04MPs head to the Commons for the Queen's Speech debate.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07The opening speaker is traditionally supposed to be funny.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09This year it will be Penny Mordaunt.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12Order! Miss Penny Mordaunt.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14CHEERING
0:17:15 > 0:17:17Thank you, Mr Speaker.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20The last woman to open the debate was the Tory Priscilla Tweedsmuir,
0:17:20 > 0:17:25over 50 years ago, when the Labour leader was Hugh Gaitskell.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29Mr Gaitskell, with gallant intent I am sure, replied that
0:17:29 > 0:17:33Lady Tweedsmuir had probably made some good points,
0:17:33 > 0:17:36but that he alas was unable to respond to any of them,
0:17:36 > 0:17:40for such was the distraction of her soft, attractive voice.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43LAUGHTER
0:17:49 > 0:17:52And so struck was he that despite being a grandmother,
0:17:52 > 0:17:54she was rather easy on the eye.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02She then recalls her training as a reservist in the Royal Navy.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04Fascinating though it was,
0:18:04 > 0:18:07I felt that the lecture and practical demonstration
0:18:07 > 0:18:12on how to care for your penis and testicles in the field...
0:18:12 > 0:18:15..failed to appreciate that some of us attending
0:18:15 > 0:18:18had been issued with the incorrect kit.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25My office did take the trouble to look up whether those two words
0:18:25 > 0:18:28had ever been said on the floor of the House before...
0:18:28 > 0:18:31- The two words being...? - Penis and testicles.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33And they have, but in a medical context,
0:18:33 > 0:18:38and we did check that saying them would not be unparliamentary,
0:18:38 > 0:18:43and concluded that they were things and therefore could be said.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46The Leader of the Opposition!
0:18:46 > 0:18:49Ed Miliband compliments Penny Mordaunt on her speech
0:18:49 > 0:18:52and on her appearance on the ITV diving programme, Splash!
0:18:54 > 0:18:57It certainly takes guts to get in a swimming costume
0:18:57 > 0:18:58and dive off the high board.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01Can I say to her, if she's looking for a new challenge,
0:19:01 > 0:19:05she should try wrestling a bacon sandwich live on national television.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09LAUGHTER
0:19:09 > 0:19:13But the mirthful mood of the House changes sharply as the Commons
0:19:13 > 0:19:15reverts to Punch and Judy politics as usual.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19This is what the Queen's Speech should have done, Mr Speaker,
0:19:19 > 0:19:22a make work pay bill to reward hard work, a banking bill
0:19:22 > 0:19:26to support small businesses. The Queen's Speech doesn't do that.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32What he does have is a ragbag, lucky dip,
0:19:32 > 0:19:36pick and mix selection of '70s statist ideas.
0:19:38 > 0:19:39The leaders and their partisans
0:19:39 > 0:19:43continue their ritual jousting across the chamber.
0:19:43 > 0:19:47But over the coming year, with the coalition government deeply divided,
0:19:47 > 0:19:51some of the biggest issues will be fought out by backbenchers.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56Yeah, start switching them off now, one, two, three, all the way through.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58'OK.'
0:19:59 > 0:20:01Thank you very much, that's it.
0:20:01 > 0:20:032014, all over.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11As spring turns to summer,
0:20:11 > 0:20:15MPs on both sides look for ways to promote their own policies.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21One key way of doing this is through a private member's bill.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26It's an important thing, the private member's bill,
0:20:26 > 0:20:29because it is the only time that a private member
0:20:29 > 0:20:30really gets a chance officially
0:20:30 > 0:20:33to get a piece of important legislation,
0:20:33 > 0:20:36which they attach great importance to, or their constituents do,
0:20:36 > 0:20:38through the House of Commons.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41There have been great pieces of legislation
0:20:41 > 0:20:43through the private members' route,
0:20:43 > 0:20:46not least the David Steele abortion bill.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48It's a fantastic campaigning opportunity,
0:20:48 > 0:20:51it's a fantastic opportunity to sort of raise a campaign
0:20:51 > 0:20:53that you've been working on for many years.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56It just gives you the profile, it gives you the platform to do it.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04The clerk in charge of private members' bills is Kate Emms.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08Over the past three years, she's overseen a vast array of bills.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13Face Coverings Prohibition Bill, National Service Bill,
0:21:13 > 0:21:18The European Communities Act 1972 Repeal Bill...
0:21:18 > 0:21:22Any MP who wants to draft a private member's bill
0:21:22 > 0:21:24has to register it with Kate Emms.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28Fishing Grounds and Territorial Waters Repatriation Bill,
0:21:28 > 0:21:32School Governing Bodies - Adverse Weather Conditions Bill,
0:21:32 > 0:21:33and so it goes on.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36There are limited slots in the Commons' timetable
0:21:36 > 0:21:39for private members' bills, so the competition is intense,
0:21:39 > 0:21:44and it's decided by a drawing of lots one week after State Opening.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47Morning, James, could you just find for me
0:21:47 > 0:21:50the tickets for the raffle and show me the tickets in the box?
0:21:50 > 0:21:51OK.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55So this is the box we use every year for the raffle and I think...
0:21:55 > 0:21:58- Are these the tickets here? - They're the tickets, yes.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00So we've got 500 of those.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03The process is a bit like running the raffle at the village fete.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11The first stage takes place in the voting lobby
0:22:11 > 0:22:13by the House of Commons chamber.
0:22:13 > 0:22:14Hello.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18Form an orderly queue.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21To enter the contest, MPs have to choose a number
0:22:21 > 0:22:24and then sign their names in Kate Emms' book.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28- Right, Mrs Riordan? - Yes, please.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30Have you got a number in mind?
0:22:30 > 0:22:33I've been told it's like bingo because I've not done this before,
0:22:33 > 0:22:35so apparently we have to choose a number.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38I hope they've got a big bubbling ball that they sort of...
0:22:38 > 0:22:40Yeah, they've got a box with balls in, yeah.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42- Do they?! - Yeah.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44Big box and it draws them out.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46That's what you want, your pit number.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49That's what I'm going for today.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51- Have you done yours? - I've done mine, yes.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53What number are you?
0:22:53 > 0:22:54364.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56Has that got some significance?
0:22:56 > 0:23:00It's the highest score by an English batsman in a test match.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04So now I need to pick a number that has some relevance, obviously...
0:23:04 > 0:23:07- That hasn't already been taken. - That hasn't already been taken.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10396, I'll have.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12Is that how many goals you've scored?
0:23:12 > 0:23:14It's how many times you've been sent off!
0:23:16 > 0:23:19This is my pen that I got when I was 30, that I always use
0:23:19 > 0:23:21for special things like this, to sign.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23It might be good luck.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26The whole point of being here is to try and change legislation
0:23:26 > 0:23:29so to get a gift and a leg up with this, even just for the profile
0:23:29 > 0:23:31that the topic gets,
0:23:31 > 0:23:33would be an absolutely amazing thing, wouldn't it?
0:23:33 > 0:23:36It's an opportunity for backbenchers to make their mark,
0:23:36 > 0:23:39but there'll also be pressure to toe the party line.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43With the coalition split on an EU referendum,
0:23:43 > 0:23:47Tory ministers want to use a private member's bill to get it through.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49The whips try and remind people to go and put in,
0:23:49 > 0:23:51so we've all had a reminder today to come and line up,
0:23:51 > 0:23:53which is why there's so many people here, I think.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56A lot on our side want to because they want to try and get this
0:23:56 > 0:23:59EU Referendum Bill, which was stopped by Labour and the Liberals
0:23:59 > 0:24:02in the Lords last time, so we want to get that on the statute books.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06If I won it, I would definitely repeat the referendum bill.
0:24:06 > 0:24:10If I get the chance, it would be to have a referendum,
0:24:10 > 0:24:11an in/out referendum on Europe.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13And that lot will all boo me!
0:24:13 > 0:24:15Don't "that lot" me!
0:24:19 > 0:24:22Robert Halfon isn't prepared to trust that luck
0:24:22 > 0:24:24will give him the chance to promote his campaign
0:24:24 > 0:24:27against NHS hospital parking charges.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33There is another way for him to appear on the Commons stage.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36You can sign it on the next page there.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39He's buttonholing MPs as they come out of the voting lobby,
0:24:39 > 0:24:42to persuade them to sign up to his campaign.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44I'd be delighted to sign it.
0:24:44 > 0:24:49- I've now got a hundred of colleagues from all parties, and loads from us. - It's a very worthy cause.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51Robert Halfon will take the signatures
0:24:51 > 0:24:53to the Backbench Business Committee,
0:24:53 > 0:24:56which allocates slots in the chamber each week,
0:24:56 > 0:24:59for debates suggested by members.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03That's the draft motion and it's a bit like Dragons' Den,
0:25:03 > 0:25:06this backbench committee, so I've got to bid for a debate.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11To be successful, he needs to show that his is not just a Tory issue,
0:25:11 > 0:25:13but has cross-party support.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17By a miracle, are you free for five minutes?
0:25:17 > 0:25:20- Possibly? - I don't need to e-mail you?
0:25:20 > 0:25:23I don't want these filming me with you, talking to a Tory.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25No, I've never spoken to a Tory in my life!
0:25:25 > 0:25:28I've been to the backbench committee before but sometimes
0:25:28 > 0:25:31they've said no and I've gone back every week until they say yes, so...
0:25:31 > 0:25:34if they say no, I'll go and get more signatures and I'll go back
0:25:34 > 0:25:36the week after, and if they say no,
0:25:36 > 0:25:39I'll get more signatures and go back the week after that,
0:25:39 > 0:25:41until I just try and grind them into submission.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47It's the 12th of June.
0:25:49 > 0:25:50Nice early start!
0:25:50 > 0:25:54The day of the ballot for the private members' bills.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56Kate Emms leaves her house at 7am.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01We're buying chocolate because I give a small non-monetary gift
0:26:01 > 0:26:03to all the people who've helped me man the book.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05Good morning!
0:26:07 > 0:26:09This looks worse than it is, it's not all for me!
0:26:11 > 0:26:15It's a big day because it's the beginning of potentially a lot
0:26:15 > 0:26:17of very entertaining hard work.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19It's exciting!
0:26:23 > 0:26:27So here's my box, and here they are.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31All my tickets folded.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33And here's my ballot book, back from the printers.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35And here's my list for today.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42The winner of the ballot will have the first choice of time slot,
0:26:42 > 0:26:45and the best chance of their bill making it into law.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49That's for you so you've got a piece of paper.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51Across the Westminster village,
0:26:51 > 0:26:55backbench MPs monitor their e-mails for the result of the ballot.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00The draw is made by the Deputy Speaker, Lindsay Hoyle.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03As of last year, the ballot results will be drawn in reverse order.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07As each number is drawn, I will read out the corresponding name
0:27:07 > 0:27:09and the member in the ballot book.
0:27:11 > 0:27:15- 290.- Martin Horwood.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17You probably barely get any time in Parliament
0:27:17 > 0:27:19to even talk about the bill,
0:27:19 > 0:27:22but it is obviously an opportunity to push a cause that you believe in.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26- 190.- Mr David Davis.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29'In a way, I always say to people the best one to get
0:27:29 > 0:27:30is either number 1 or number 20.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34You know, number 1, you've got a very high chance of getting through.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36Number 20, no chance at all!
0:27:39 > 0:27:41We've been deluged with a number of e-mails
0:27:41 > 0:27:45from a combination of lobbyists, charities,
0:27:45 > 0:27:47several e-mails from think-tanks.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49Down to the last three.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54146.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56Robert Neill.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58It's great news because it gives you a chance to actually,
0:27:58 > 0:28:00you know, make a difference.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02On the other hand, it's going to be a lot of work.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04Shake them up, David, come on. Get the tension going.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07196.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11Andrew George, winner of today's draw.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16It's the MP equivalent of winning the National Lottery.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18I have to make a judgment, really, about
0:28:18 > 0:28:20whether I want to go down the history of having done
0:28:20 > 0:28:23something worthy but extremely boring,
0:28:23 > 0:28:25or actually be controversial and, you know,
0:28:25 > 0:28:28I still get my day in the sun even if it's voted down.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33Missed out, bugger. Never mind.
0:28:35 > 0:28:39Sadly I'm not on it but maybe next year.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42But for the winners, the ballot is just the start.
0:28:42 > 0:28:46They'll face many obstacles if their bills are to become law.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48You make a choice.
0:28:48 > 0:28:53If you go in for something that is controversial and will raise the ire
0:28:53 > 0:28:58of somebody on the other side or even on your own side,
0:28:58 > 0:29:02then you will have your hour or two of glory
0:29:02 > 0:29:04but you won't get it through.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07Your private member's bill has no chance
0:29:07 > 0:29:11if it doesn't have the support of either a majority government,
0:29:11 > 0:29:16or the two main contributors to the coalition.
0:29:17 > 0:29:21For those MPs who weren't lucky in the ballot, there's a third route
0:29:21 > 0:29:24to getting time in the chamber, to put forward a bill.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27They'll have to turn up at Kate Emms' office in three weeks' time
0:29:27 > 0:29:30and queue for the few remaining time slots.
0:29:30 > 0:29:34And it'll be first come, first served.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37Thomas Docherty wants to seize this opportunity to make sure
0:29:37 > 0:29:41that Labour bags as many of the time slots as possible.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44My task is to secure time on the floor of the House
0:29:44 > 0:29:46so that we can debate our issues,
0:29:46 > 0:29:49and allow us to demonstrate what a Labour government
0:29:49 > 0:29:51would do in its first term.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54The way that it's been done in previous years,
0:29:54 > 0:29:59it has involved members getting there days ahead and camping out,
0:29:59 > 0:30:02literally camping out in an office.
0:30:04 > 0:30:09So I will probably arrive two days before Kate Emms unlocks her door
0:30:09 > 0:30:11to the front of the queue.
0:30:13 > 0:30:17He's come up with a cunning plan to make sure he's first in the queue.
0:30:20 > 0:30:24We've reached a deal with a couple of Tory MPs so that over a couple
0:30:24 > 0:30:28of days' rota, we're going to cover off all the time.
0:30:28 > 0:30:35So I will do the night shifts and so in return for being hardy,
0:30:35 > 0:30:38I'll get to go to the very front of the queue.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41He's decided to team up with two Tory right wing mavericks,
0:30:41 > 0:30:44Peter Bone and Christopher Chope.
0:30:44 > 0:30:48Together they plan to grab all of the slots available.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52Thomas Docherty hopes to pull a political masterstroke
0:30:52 > 0:30:55which will get him time in the chamber for Labour
0:30:55 > 0:30:58and embarrass the government by giving a platform
0:30:58 > 0:31:00to dissident Tory voices.
0:31:02 > 0:31:04Ah! Good to see you, old chap.
0:31:04 > 0:31:08They plan to camp outside Kate Emms' office for the next two nights.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10Hello, Kate.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12Hello, the Three Musketeers here.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14How's the living accommodation next door to your office?
0:31:14 > 0:31:18Please tell me it's empty, first of all. Thank you.
0:31:18 > 0:31:19So are we saying tomorrow night?
0:31:19 > 0:31:21The problem I've got, one of our colleagues
0:31:21 > 0:31:24is having a party on Wednesday night, and I said I'd go to it.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27What I was thinking was, if I start at eight in the morning,
0:31:27 > 0:31:30if someone can cover from 10 till 12, I've got some appointments.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34I'll come back at noon, I'll basically push on until, say, seven,
0:31:34 > 0:31:36if someone can do seven till 10,
0:31:36 > 0:31:40I'll get some refreshment which should harden me for the night.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43So I have my sleeping bag and pillow in my office.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46- 10 till 12, I can do. - Great.
0:31:46 > 0:31:47That's not a problem.
0:31:47 > 0:31:50I can cover Wednesday night.
0:31:50 > 0:31:54They need to strike a deal about how to share out the spoils.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56How many bills are we thinking of doing?
0:31:56 > 0:32:00Forgive me if I don't want to get involved in the internal mechanics
0:32:00 > 0:32:01of how the Conservative...
0:32:01 > 0:32:03How many bills do you want to do?
0:32:03 > 0:32:07If we take two of the top private members' bills for each side...
0:32:07 > 0:32:09Sounds good, as far as I'm concerned.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12- I've just got to make sure I'm at 10 tomorrow?- Yes.
0:32:12 > 0:32:14And then the rest will all flow from there.
0:32:14 > 0:32:16- Brilliant. - Thanks so much.
0:32:16 > 0:32:18- Cheers, have a good evening. - Same to you.
0:32:18 > 0:32:20- At ten, isn't it? - Both at ten.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23- Just one vote. - Yes, we won't be in the same lobby.
0:32:27 > 0:32:31Peter Bone claims there's a point of parliamentary principle at stake.
0:32:31 > 0:32:36If we don't do this at 10 o'clock on Thursday, people who have
0:32:36 > 0:32:41been given bills by the whips on both sides will turn up to do those.
0:32:41 > 0:32:45Well, that's not what private business is supposed to be about,
0:32:45 > 0:32:47it should be about what private members care about.
0:32:50 > 0:32:52While MPs concoct their plots,
0:32:52 > 0:32:54in Westminster Hall,
0:32:54 > 0:32:58lighting designer John Dowzell is preparing for his next big event -
0:32:58 > 0:33:01to commemorate the centenary of the Christmas Day truce
0:33:01 > 0:33:02in the First World War.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05There'll be a joint concert by the choirs
0:33:05 > 0:33:08of the German and British parliaments.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11What I like is when people sit down,
0:33:11 > 0:33:15and they look and they go, "This is the roof of all roofs.
0:33:15 > 0:33:17"It's amazing."
0:33:17 > 0:33:19Built nearly 1,000 years ago,
0:33:19 > 0:33:23Westminster Hall was where King Charles I was sentenced to death,
0:33:23 > 0:33:25Winston Churchill lay in state,
0:33:25 > 0:33:29and Henry VIII used to play tennis.
0:33:30 > 0:33:34They found one of the tennis balls that Henry VIII stuck up
0:33:34 > 0:33:37in one of the beams when they went for cleaning,
0:33:37 > 0:33:41so it's got a lot of history, this building.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44Behind the scenes, the craft team are at work,
0:33:44 > 0:33:48keeping the building running and on call for a variety of jobs.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51Some more unexpected than others.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54If we're not back in half an hour, send a search party out for us.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57The locksmith Peter Wasalow has been asked to investigate
0:33:57 > 0:34:01a mystery locked room in the cellars.
0:34:01 > 0:34:05The Serjeant at Arms is concerned it may be a security threat.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08Just along there, as you can see, this gives you an idea
0:34:08 > 0:34:11of the scale of the building. That's from one end to the other.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14It's taken me about three years to find my way around in the basement
0:34:14 > 0:34:17and this is the door that we're concerned about.
0:34:20 > 0:34:22A lot of people in the outside world,
0:34:22 > 0:34:25they would just put a drill through the door, drill the lock open.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28Because of where we are, we don't like to do things like that.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34What the bloody hell have we got here? What's that?
0:34:36 > 0:34:38It's a store room, innit?
0:34:38 > 0:34:40It's got the House of Lords
0:34:40 > 0:34:43so it possibly belongs to the catering department.
0:34:44 > 0:34:48Well, at least we know where we are now. Pots of jam.
0:34:48 > 0:34:50Can you hear anything ticking in there?
0:34:56 > 0:34:59The week after the private members' ballot,
0:34:59 > 0:35:03the Lib Dem Andrew George visits Kate Emms in her office
0:35:03 > 0:35:04to seek advice.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07Oh, you're welcome! You're welcome, congratulations!
0:35:07 > 0:35:09- Major result. - It was skill rather than luck.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12Obviously, no luck involved, I'm sure.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15Have you had any thoughts about what you might want to do for your bill?
0:35:15 > 0:35:18Well, I've had an avalanche of suggestions from new friends
0:35:18 > 0:35:23that I didn't know I had, and I also have an avalanche of my own ideas.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25Oh, OK.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28If I give you an example, so an affordable homes bill,
0:35:28 > 0:35:32one clause of which would be to try and nullify the most unacceptable
0:35:32 > 0:35:36aspect of the spare room subsidy, the bedroom tax.
0:35:38 > 0:35:42His bill would exempt people from the controversial bedroom tax
0:35:42 > 0:35:45if they'd been at the same address for more than three years.
0:35:45 > 0:35:49It would effectively neuter a key government policy.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52So that's one and we might call that,
0:35:52 > 0:35:55let's say as a working title, the Affordable Housing Bill?
0:35:55 > 0:35:59Yes. I prefer homes because that's a more homely word.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02Yes, we'll see how we go with that.
0:36:02 > 0:36:04But even though Andrew George has won the top ticket,
0:36:04 > 0:36:06his position isn't safe.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11Some Tories want to push their EU referendum bill
0:36:11 > 0:36:13to the front of the queue.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16Now, I've been approached last night by Philip Davis.
0:36:16 > 0:36:20He said it's not blackmail, of course, but if I don't step aside
0:36:20 > 0:36:26and allow his Tory chum to have first crack
0:36:26 > 0:36:31at the first Friday to allow that bill to go into committee
0:36:31 > 0:36:35before mine, then he'll talk my bill out.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37Thanks, bye!
0:36:37 > 0:36:39Talking a bill out, or filibustering,
0:36:39 > 0:36:42is when opponents deliberately string out the debate
0:36:42 > 0:36:45until the allotted time for a bill runs out.
0:36:47 > 0:36:51In trying to prevent the passage of a bill,
0:36:51 > 0:36:55members can try to take up time, and they will give long speeches.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58We have all done it.
0:36:58 > 0:37:04In fact, I once prepared, 20 years ago, a 24-hour speech.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07Most Members of Parliament quite like the sound of their own voice,
0:37:07 > 0:37:10a fault which I attribute to myself among them.
0:37:14 > 0:37:18It's the 1st of July, and Thomas Docherty is about to begin
0:37:18 > 0:37:22the 48-hour occupation of the room opposite Kate Emms' office.
0:37:24 > 0:37:26Morning, Mr Docherty. Settling in?
0:37:26 > 0:37:28Do you want to know where the showers are?
0:37:28 > 0:37:29That would be splendid.
0:37:29 > 0:37:31- Oh, wow! - See?
0:37:31 > 0:37:35We can't be accused of spending a lot of money, can we, on...?
0:37:35 > 0:37:38Perfectly serviceable, OK? And it's very convenient.
0:37:38 > 0:37:40There's an open window ventilation system.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43Got to make sure it was frosted glass!
0:37:46 > 0:37:51While Thomas Docherty is staking his claim outside Kate Emms' office,
0:37:51 > 0:37:53Robert Halfon is waiting for the doors
0:37:53 > 0:37:58of the Backbench Business Committee to open, so he can put in his pitch
0:37:58 > 0:38:01for a Commons debate on hospital car parking.
0:38:01 > 0:38:05The Labour MP Natascha Engel chairs the committee.
0:38:05 > 0:38:09We've had loads of people writing to us with proposals,
0:38:09 > 0:38:12and we've not been able to do anything about it.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15So they're just piled up now, so it's going to be a huge number of people
0:38:15 > 0:38:18who are going to come and see us today and we've hardly got any time
0:38:18 > 0:38:22to allocate to them, so I'm going to have to be particularly tough.
0:38:22 > 0:38:26Robert Halfon is hoping his long list of cross-party supporters
0:38:26 > 0:38:30will be enough to make him stand out from the rest.
0:38:32 > 0:38:34Emily, can you tweet the thing?
0:38:34 > 0:38:35Yeah, thanks.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37Good afternoon, Chairman.
0:38:37 > 0:38:39We are asking for a debate
0:38:39 > 0:38:42on the problem of hospital car parking charges.
0:38:42 > 0:38:46As you can see, we've got support for the debate
0:38:46 > 0:38:49from 108 MPs from all parties.
0:38:49 > 0:38:54What the 108 MPs have signed is for the motion to have a vote
0:38:54 > 0:38:57on the government considering ways in which hospital car parking fees
0:38:57 > 0:38:59can be reduced.
0:38:59 > 0:39:01Having put his case,
0:39:01 > 0:39:05Robert Halfon has to wait for the committee's decision.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07We've got a Facebook page, everything on it,
0:39:07 > 0:39:10so we'll call you hero of the week or whatever.
0:39:10 > 0:39:11Thanks a lot.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15I'm relieved it's over, to be honest.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18It's quite nerve-racking, but as I said, it's Dragons' Den,
0:39:18 > 0:39:20but it's...
0:39:20 > 0:39:22I've got to go and see a nurse from a hospital now,
0:39:22 > 0:39:24who's come here to talk about nurses' pay.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26It never stops.
0:39:38 > 0:39:42As MPs head home, Thomas Docherty arrives for the night shift
0:39:42 > 0:39:46in the 48-hour vigil opposite Kate Emms' office.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54So you're in very good time.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56Spot on!
0:39:56 > 0:39:58I am nothing if not a...
0:39:58 > 0:40:00A clock watcher.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04The Tory Christopher Chope and his wife
0:40:04 > 0:40:06have been holding the fort for the last three hours.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09Where are you going to sleep? A camp bed?
0:40:09 > 0:40:13I'll take six of these chairs and line them up...
0:40:13 > 0:40:15in two rows of three.
0:40:17 > 0:40:18Anyway, have fun.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21Have a good night's rest, I'll see you 8 o'clock-ish.
0:40:21 > 0:40:23"Ish" is fine, "ish" is fine.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25I hope the chairs are more comfy than they look.
0:40:25 > 0:40:27- Cheers, Thomas. - Goodnight!
0:40:30 > 0:40:32It's like the less gracious bit of this
0:40:32 > 0:40:35is trying to clamber into my sleeping bag.
0:40:50 > 0:40:52Do you mind getting the lights?
0:40:54 > 0:40:59Good stuff, and...off the TV.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02See you in the morning.
0:41:02 > 0:41:05As Thomas Docherty beds in for the night,
0:41:05 > 0:41:08the Commons becomes a very different place.
0:41:08 > 0:41:12It morphs from Hogwarts into Night At The Museum.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23On this floor, I work alone.
0:41:23 > 0:41:28It's just me, or I might see the guards
0:41:28 > 0:41:30when they come around to do their rounds.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37It's very quiet here at night, spooky at times.
0:41:37 > 0:41:41If you hear a little sound, you jump, you know?
0:41:48 > 0:41:51After two nights in his sleeping bag in the Commons,
0:41:51 > 0:41:54Thomas Docherty doesn't have much longer to wait.
0:41:57 > 0:41:58Morning.
0:42:01 > 0:42:06So I got my head down about half midnight...
0:42:09 > 0:42:13..and it's not bad, actually,
0:42:13 > 0:42:15I only woke up twice.
0:42:15 > 0:42:20I'm so tired that actually I was able to sleep right through.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23It's 9:30am.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27In half an hour, MPs will be allowed into Kate Emms' office,
0:42:27 > 0:42:30to claim the few remaining time slots.
0:42:30 > 0:42:36We're nearly there now, got these members to deal with this morning.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39Just to confirm I've got the right date.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42My wife has just asked whether I've had breakfast.
0:42:42 > 0:42:44"No, do you want to bring tea and toast
0:42:44 > 0:42:45"for four members to the bunker?"
0:42:45 > 0:42:48I'm going to get a rude response in a minute.
0:42:49 > 0:42:51The answer was no!
0:42:52 > 0:42:55The odd menage-a-trois have been able to keep their ploy
0:42:55 > 0:42:57a secret from the rest of the House.
0:42:59 > 0:43:03The Tory MP Andrew Percy is on his way to Kate Emms' office.
0:43:03 > 0:43:07I think the government and the opposition whips decide between them
0:43:07 > 0:43:10who's getting which week, so there shouldn't be anybody there.
0:43:10 > 0:43:13Otherwise, it would just be crazy because you could have somebody
0:43:13 > 0:43:15who went and lined up for every single one.
0:43:19 > 0:43:21Private Bill Office?
0:43:21 > 0:43:23- Third floor. - It's that lift there, isn't it?
0:43:23 > 0:43:25See, I did know where I was going.
0:43:25 > 0:43:28The Serjeant at Arms has sent a Doorkeeper to prevent any trouble.
0:43:28 > 0:43:32I'm just here for a bit of calm, quiet authority.
0:43:33 > 0:43:37By 9:45, the Commons' only Green MP, Caroline Lucas,
0:43:37 > 0:43:40has taken up her position outside Kate Emms' office.
0:43:41 > 0:43:44Are you waiting for a ten-minute rule bill?
0:43:44 > 0:43:47- I am.- Oh, no! Because last time I came there was just me here.
0:43:47 > 0:43:50I'm surprised because I've done one of the overnighters before,
0:43:50 > 0:43:52to try to get to be one of the first ones.
0:43:52 > 0:43:54Oh, really? You had to wait overnight?
0:43:54 > 0:43:57Yeah, it's mad.
0:43:57 > 0:43:58BELL CHIMES
0:44:00 > 0:44:03Ooh, look at the time! Ah!
0:44:03 > 0:44:06Time for Kate Emms to open up shop.
0:44:06 > 0:44:08Have a seat, Mr Docherty.
0:44:08 > 0:44:09Thank you so much.
0:44:10 > 0:44:13After two days camping out in the bill office waiting room,
0:44:13 > 0:44:17Docherty, Chope and Bone are first in line
0:44:17 > 0:44:19and they bag all the best time slots.
0:44:21 > 0:44:23- Good morning, Mr Percy, how are you? - How are you? I'm good.
0:44:23 > 0:44:25- I'm fine, thanks. - I want a ten-minute rule bill.
0:44:25 > 0:44:29Right, all the ones that came free today have been taken, I'm afraid.
0:44:29 > 0:44:33They've been queuing on a rota system since Tuesday morning,
0:44:33 > 0:44:37and overnight, in order to be here at 10 o'clock this morning.
0:44:37 > 0:44:38I'm just a failure.
0:44:38 > 0:44:40No, I don't think that's true.
0:44:40 > 0:44:42I don't want you to go through your day with that attitude.
0:44:42 > 0:44:44I didn't get pulled out in the private member's bill,
0:44:44 > 0:44:47I didn't get a ten-minute rule bill, so I'm letting people down.
0:44:49 > 0:44:51This could spoil my weekend.
0:44:51 > 0:44:53I really hope it doesn't.
0:44:53 > 0:44:55It'd be a great shame and possibly slightly out of proportion.
0:44:55 > 0:44:58I just wish I was better, like everybody else.
0:44:58 > 0:44:59I can't help it.
0:45:04 > 0:45:0848 hours have been a long time in politics for Thomas Docherty,
0:45:08 > 0:45:10but he's bagged a precious prize.
0:45:12 > 0:45:15He's put nine Labour bills on the agenda
0:45:15 > 0:45:18and gained a whole day of time in the Commons.
0:45:20 > 0:45:23If I've got to give up a couple of nights' comfortable kip
0:45:23 > 0:45:28to guarantee that we can have a debate in the House of Commons,
0:45:28 > 0:45:31I think that's a sacrifice I'm prepared to make.
0:45:36 > 0:45:38It's Wednesday the 2nd of July,
0:45:38 > 0:45:41and the winners of the private members' ballot
0:45:41 > 0:45:44will be the first to introduce their bills
0:45:44 > 0:45:46as starting the lengthy process.
0:45:46 > 0:45:50Step one - the titles of their bills must be read out in the chamber.
0:45:50 > 0:45:53- Safety and Quality Bill. - Second reading, what day?
0:45:53 > 0:45:55Friday the 7th of November.
0:45:55 > 0:45:58Third on the list is the Conservative Bob Neill,
0:45:58 > 0:46:01who'll be introducing the EU Referendum Bill.
0:46:01 > 0:46:04- Mr Andrew George. - Affordable Homes Bill.
0:46:06 > 0:46:09The biggest cheer is for bill number three.
0:46:09 > 0:46:12- Mr Robert Neil. - European Union Referendum Bill.
0:46:12 > 0:46:15CHEERING
0:46:20 > 0:46:23While there's no truce between the warring coalition partners,
0:46:23 > 0:46:27in Westminster Hall, the stage is set for the Anglo-German concert
0:46:27 > 0:46:30to commemorate the World War I Christmas truce.
0:46:33 > 0:46:36And John Dowzell's lighting is once more being put to the test.
0:46:37 > 0:46:40It's been a good day so far, Black Rod seems to be happy.
0:46:42 > 0:46:45He shouted out my name on the rehearsals
0:46:45 > 0:46:48that I hadn't given him enough light for him to read his music,
0:46:48 > 0:46:53so we've looked after him so he can actually see his music.
0:46:55 > 0:46:57So he seems to be very happy today, so that's OK.
0:46:59 > 0:47:02I often have a coordinating and organising role.
0:47:02 > 0:47:04Someone's got to knock them into shape
0:47:04 > 0:47:06and quite often it ends up being me.
0:47:08 > 0:47:11By six in the evening, it's a full hall.
0:47:11 > 0:47:12The choir's going to come in.
0:47:12 > 0:47:13Rather than processing down here,
0:47:13 > 0:47:17the word they were using is they're going to ooze down here.
0:47:17 > 0:47:18Ooze?!
0:47:25 > 0:47:30Thank you for coming in such magnificent numbers
0:47:30 > 0:47:33for this auspicious occasion.
0:47:33 > 0:47:37MUSIC: Zadok The Priest by George Frideric Handel
0:48:01 > 0:48:03It's a week since Robert Halfon appeared before
0:48:03 > 0:48:07the Backbench Business Committee and he's just received an e-mail.
0:48:07 > 0:48:11Well, we won't get our debate before the summer recess, which is fine.
0:48:11 > 0:48:14Would I be able to hold a debate on the 1st of September?
0:48:16 > 0:48:18- First day back.- That's amazing.
0:48:18 > 0:48:20We can say that we have got a debate.
0:48:20 > 0:48:23We can say we've got a debate. That's fantastic.
0:48:23 > 0:48:27He'll now be able to make his case for the Chancellor George Osborne
0:48:27 > 0:48:32to find the money to make NHS hospital car parking free.
0:48:32 > 0:48:35But then he has a mystery caller.
0:48:35 > 0:48:38This came as a kind of bolt from the blue.
0:48:38 > 0:48:42Last, I think it was Wednesday evening,
0:48:42 > 0:48:45it was either Wednesday or Thursday, I get an e-mail saying,
0:48:45 > 0:48:48"Mr Switch would like to speak to you." A Mr Switch.
0:48:48 > 0:48:51And there was a London number and I'm thinking, "Who on earth is Mr Switch?
0:48:51 > 0:48:54"That's a really weird name," and I ring the number and it's
0:48:54 > 0:48:58the Downing Street switchboard and literally your heart goes like this,
0:48:58 > 0:49:02jumps, and they say, "The Chancellor would like to speak to you."
0:49:05 > 0:49:07When I say it was unexpected,
0:49:07 > 0:49:11I was expecting to speak to a Mr Switch rather than the Chancellor.
0:49:11 > 0:49:13And then he gets on the phone
0:49:13 > 0:49:16and he said, "I'd like you to be my Parliamentary Private Secretary."
0:49:16 > 0:49:19I said, "It's a great honour and thank you."
0:49:19 > 0:49:24A Parliamentary Private Secretary is the lowest form of ministerial life.
0:49:24 > 0:49:27Hello. It's Rob Halfon. I've got a meeting. Thanks a lot.
0:49:28 > 0:49:30But it's often the first rung on the ladder
0:49:30 > 0:49:32to a proper paid job in government.
0:49:32 > 0:49:34All right, shall we do this?
0:49:41 > 0:49:42Thanks. Hi. Hi.
0:49:45 > 0:49:46- Hi, Rob.- Hello, how are you?
0:49:46 > 0:49:50- Good to see you.- Yeah, good to see you, too. Thank you very much.
0:49:50 > 0:49:53- It's a great opportunity.- Come on through.- Thank you. Thank you.
0:49:55 > 0:49:57- What are you doing this summer? Are you going away?- I'm doing
0:49:57 > 0:50:00a fitness thing for a couple of weeks with lots of exercise,
0:50:00 > 0:50:03swimming, physio, I've got to get fit so... Especially for the election.
0:50:03 > 0:50:04- Fit for the election.- Yeah.
0:50:04 > 0:50:07Well, you've got to be my eyes and ears and you've got to...
0:50:07 > 0:50:10- I want to hear what's not working, as well as what is working.- Yes.
0:50:10 > 0:50:12And also we need to know what the...
0:50:12 > 0:50:15you know, what our MPs want from us.
0:50:15 > 0:50:18They'll have specific issues that they'll come to us through
0:50:18 > 0:50:20- and they'll come to you first.- Yeah.
0:50:20 > 0:50:22- Welcome to the team. - Thank you.- It's fantastic.
0:50:24 > 0:50:27The Chancellor has decided to deploy the persuasive skills
0:50:27 > 0:50:30of his former bete noire to his own cause.
0:50:31 > 0:50:35But now that Robert Halfon is inside the government tent,
0:50:35 > 0:50:38his days as an entirely free agent are over.
0:50:39 > 0:50:42I can campaign but obviously I've got to...
0:50:42 > 0:50:46I'm a kind of semi-member of the government
0:50:46 > 0:50:48so I've got to think, because
0:50:48 > 0:50:50you're slightly...
0:50:50 > 0:50:52you know, you're slightly constrained
0:50:52 > 0:50:54but I'll be able to make the case for it inside,
0:50:54 > 0:50:57which I would never have been able to do before.
0:51:02 > 0:51:04Speaker!
0:51:04 > 0:51:07It's the 5th of September, the day of the debate
0:51:07 > 0:51:11on Andrew George's Affordable Homes or "Bedroom Tax" Bill.
0:51:11 > 0:51:13He's anxious that some Tories,
0:51:13 > 0:51:16keen to clear the way for their EU Referendum Bill,
0:51:16 > 0:51:19might obstruct his bill by pointing out technical errors
0:51:19 > 0:51:22in the way it's drafted.
0:51:22 > 0:51:25I've been given an indication that I may be challenged.
0:51:25 > 0:51:27I just wanted to be sure I could actually say,
0:51:27 > 0:51:30- "The clerks have looked at this..." - You can.- "..and scrutinised it."
0:51:30 > 0:51:32I want to make sure that it's reasonable for me
0:51:32 > 0:51:35to refer to your authority rather than to my judgment.
0:51:35 > 0:51:37You can say the clerks in the Public Bill Office
0:51:37 > 0:51:39have scrutinised the text of the bill.
0:51:39 > 0:51:42- All right, thank you.- I hope everything goes well.- OK, thank you
0:51:42 > 0:51:44- very much.- I'll be there at the beginning and at the end.
0:51:44 > 0:51:47- All right, lovely. Thanks. - See you later.- See you.
0:51:47 > 0:51:49I'm sure that I've done all I can do.
0:51:49 > 0:51:51There's no confidence about what's going to happen today.
0:51:51 > 0:51:53Totally unpredictable.
0:51:53 > 0:51:57The debate will begin at 9:30 and must be finished by 2:30.
0:51:57 > 0:52:01So the greatest threat to Andrew George's bill is a filibuster.
0:52:03 > 0:52:05Tory Euro-sceptic Jacob Rees-Mogg
0:52:05 > 0:52:07is a master of the art.
0:52:07 > 0:52:10I won't speak at great length if others want to do so more than I do
0:52:10 > 0:52:13so... But, yes, I can share a word or two on this debate.
0:52:13 > 0:52:15Mr Andrew George.
0:52:15 > 0:52:18Thank you, Mr Speaker.
0:52:18 > 0:52:22The area of policy I would like to advance the case for is that to
0:52:22 > 0:52:27address the desperate need for affordable accommodation of...
0:52:27 > 0:52:29No sooner has Andrew George opened the debate,
0:52:29 > 0:52:32than the Tories make time-consuming interruptions.
0:52:32 > 0:52:33I have been...
0:52:33 > 0:52:35INDISTINCT
0:52:35 > 0:52:37Will the honourable gentleman give way?
0:52:37 > 0:52:39Will the honourable gentleman give way?
0:52:39 > 0:52:41I will just... If the honourable lady,
0:52:41 > 0:52:44if she wouldn't mind, just allow me to make this point.
0:52:44 > 0:52:46Give way...
0:52:46 > 0:52:47No, no, I will not give way.
0:52:47 > 0:52:51I'm well aware that there are a large number of members who wish to
0:52:51 > 0:52:56speak in this debate and therefore I don't intend to speak for long.
0:52:56 > 0:52:59Soon the filibustering begins in earnest.
0:52:59 > 0:53:00Mr Speaker,
0:53:00 > 0:53:05I do want to congratulate the honourable member for St Ives
0:53:05 > 0:53:11on coming top in this year's private members' bills ballot.
0:53:11 > 0:53:15Although, of course, when I say he came top, he wasn't first.
0:53:15 > 0:53:18He was, in fact, 20th, of course.
0:53:18 > 0:53:22And, in fact, the first honourable member whose name was drawn
0:53:22 > 0:53:25out of the hat in the ballot was
0:53:25 > 0:53:30the honourable...my honourable friend, the member for Cheltenham.
0:53:30 > 0:53:34Mr Nuttall, you've been speaking for 35 minutes.
0:53:34 > 0:53:36The rest of the house will be desperately disappointed
0:53:36 > 0:53:39that he does not elaborate on all these points.
0:53:39 > 0:53:42After three and a half hours, Andrew George presses for a vote
0:53:42 > 0:53:46to end the filibustering and move to a decision on his bill.
0:53:46 > 0:53:49The Deputy Speaker decides the opposing voices have been
0:53:49 > 0:53:50given a fair hearing.
0:53:50 > 0:53:51JEERING
0:53:51 > 0:53:54Division. Clear the lobby!
0:53:54 > 0:53:56With Andrew George's opponents out in force,
0:53:56 > 0:53:59it looks as if he won't have the 100 votes he must have
0:53:59 > 0:54:00to win the vote.
0:54:02 > 0:54:05But Labour have spotted a chance to defeat the Tories.
0:54:07 > 0:54:10They've put out a three-line whip to summon as many MPs as they can
0:54:10 > 0:54:13to support Andrew George.
0:54:13 > 0:54:15MUSIC: Zadok The Priest by Handel
0:54:20 > 0:54:23The ayes to the right, 304.
0:54:23 > 0:54:26The noes to the left, 237.
0:54:26 > 0:54:29CHEERING
0:54:29 > 0:54:34# Zadok the Priest...! #
0:54:34 > 0:54:36The government whips have been caught off guard
0:54:36 > 0:54:41and an ordinary backbencher has defeated the Conservative Party.
0:54:41 > 0:54:44This is a phenomenal and really exciting outcome
0:54:44 > 0:54:47and to get it through where the main party
0:54:47 > 0:54:50in the coalition government is strongly opposed to it,
0:54:50 > 0:54:52I think is a remarkable outcome
0:54:52 > 0:54:55and it gives us a great opportunity really now to forge ahead.
0:54:58 > 0:55:01It was absolutely Private Members' Bill World.
0:55:01 > 0:55:04I honestly didn't always expect that to happen.
0:55:04 > 0:55:05Mr George has won the day.
0:55:07 > 0:55:10Andrew George has only won the first round.
0:55:10 > 0:55:13There's a long way to go before his bill can become law.
0:55:15 > 0:55:18Robert Halfon is about to have his day in the sun,
0:55:18 > 0:55:20but it's bittersweet.
0:55:21 > 0:55:29We come now to the backbench motion on hospital car parking charges.
0:55:29 > 0:55:31Thank you, Mr Speaker.
0:55:31 > 0:55:34When the debate he's fought for for so long finally goes ahead,
0:55:34 > 0:55:37Robert Halfon has been muzzled.
0:55:37 > 0:55:40As he now works for the government, he must watch from the sidelines.
0:55:40 > 0:55:43We have to remember that the NHS
0:55:43 > 0:55:45should be in the interests of patients.
0:55:45 > 0:55:48The debate raises the profile of Robert Halfon's campaign
0:55:48 > 0:55:50but it won't change the law.
0:55:51 > 0:55:52For that to happen,
0:55:52 > 0:55:55he must lobby the government to introduce legislation -
0:55:55 > 0:55:58something he's now much better placed to do.
0:55:58 > 0:56:00It's been a long slog.
0:56:00 > 0:56:03You know, it's been many months of campaigning on this issue
0:56:03 > 0:56:04and it wasn't even on the agenda.
0:56:04 > 0:56:07It's a really great step,
0:56:07 > 0:56:10but it's worth it because it's been a great...
0:56:10 > 0:56:12- Would you say it's been a great day? - Yeah, I think it was.
0:56:12 > 0:56:14I thought it was a really good debate.
0:56:14 > 0:56:17I'm looking forward to going to bed tonight, though, I must admit.
0:56:17 > 0:56:18I'm so knackered.
0:56:24 > 0:56:27Andrew George's triumph is short-lived.
0:56:27 > 0:56:28A few weeks later,
0:56:28 > 0:56:32his bill is debated at what's called the committee stage.
0:56:32 > 0:56:33INDISTINCT
0:56:33 > 0:56:37The Tory filibusters, like Jacob Rees-Mogg, are back in force.
0:56:39 > 0:56:42But I want, really, to talk about time.
0:56:42 > 0:56:46Time, like an ever-rolling stream, wears all its sons away
0:56:46 > 0:56:50and dies forgotten as a dream does at the opening day.
0:56:50 > 0:56:56You can see when they're engaging in this, a smirk on their faces
0:56:56 > 0:57:01as they enjoy engaging in evident verbal diarrhoea,
0:57:01 > 0:57:07filibustering in order to play for time and to frustrate progress.
0:57:07 > 0:57:10I believe that it's important that we proceed
0:57:10 > 0:57:14and we don't play childish political games with something which is
0:57:14 > 0:57:16actually extremely serious.
0:57:16 > 0:57:21While the Tories continue to block Andrew George's bill at every stage,
0:57:21 > 0:57:25the Lib Dems refuse to make way for the Tories' EU Referendum Bill.
0:57:26 > 0:57:30With the governing parties in deadlock, neither bill will pass.
0:57:30 > 0:57:34So the final outcome of a tortuous Commons contest is that there's been
0:57:34 > 0:57:38a great deal of noise and heat but very little light and no winners.
0:57:40 > 0:57:45Next time, we explore the legendary dark arts of the whips' offices...
0:57:45 > 0:57:47There's the whip. SHE LAUGHS
0:57:47 > 0:57:49..we meet some of Westminster's younger members...
0:57:49 > 0:57:53So I'm going to go and take my son to go and get him into his pyjamas.
0:57:53 > 0:57:55..and show how the traditional party system
0:57:55 > 0:57:57is falling apart at the seams.
0:57:57 > 0:57:58SHOUTING
0:57:58 > 0:58:02Basically, democracy lost and the government won.
0:58:02 > 0:58:04Are you interested in finding out
0:58:04 > 0:58:07more about the topics raised in this series?
0:58:07 > 0:58:08Then go to...
0:58:12 > 0:58:14..and follow the links to the Open University,
0:58:14 > 0:58:17where you can watch topical round table discussions
0:58:17 > 0:58:20and get an insight into the making of the series.