0:00:10 > 0:00:12Hello and Welcome to the Week In Parliament.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14Hard Brexit?
0:00:14 > 0:00:17Soft Brexit?
0:00:17 > 0:00:19It's going to be a slow exit from the European Union.
0:00:19 > 0:00:26And don't expect any details any time soon.
0:00:26 > 0:00:30It would not be right for me or this government to give a running
0:00:30 > 0:00:31commentary on negotiations.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34There is going to be no running commentary at this stage on the
0:00:34 > 0:00:35negotiations.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38But definitely making his exit was the chairman who gave
0:00:38 > 0:00:39us plenty of committee drama.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42Why are you still in your post?
0:00:42 > 0:00:44I need to excuse you from this committee because
0:00:44 > 0:00:48your evidence so far has been unsatisfactory.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50And buy one, get one free.
0:00:50 > 0:00:51As the Greens decide to have
0:00:51 > 0:00:54two co-leaders, an MP says job sharing could be the way
0:00:54 > 0:00:58forward at Westminster.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00I'm really enthusiastic about job shares so I
0:01:00 > 0:01:03say congratulations to the Green Party for being prepared to be
0:01:03 > 0:01:06trailblazers in this.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09But first, it's 11 weeks since the country
0:01:09 > 0:01:11voted to leave the European Union.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13When Theresa May entered 10 Downing Street in mid-July
0:01:13 > 0:01:15she assured victorious Leave supporters that Brexit would mean
0:01:15 > 0:01:21Brexit, a sound-bite if ever there was one.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23So when MPs returned from their summer holidays many
0:01:23 > 0:01:27thought they would be in a for an informative
0:01:27 > 0:01:30progress report on how negotiations were going.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32After all, a Cabinet Minister had been appointed
0:01:32 > 0:01:35specifically for the job.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38David Davis was dubbed the Brexit Secretary.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41Sure enough, on day one of the new term, Mr Davis
0:01:41 > 0:01:44was at the Commons despatch box.
0:01:44 > 0:01:50But those hoping for a detailed update were disappointed.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53Statement, the Secretary of State for exiting the European Union.
0:01:53 > 0:02:00Secretary David Davis.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03Naturally, people want to know what Brexit will
0:02:03 > 0:02:07mean.
0:02:07 > 0:02:13Simply...
0:02:13 > 0:02:18Simply, it means leaving the European Union.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22So we, we will decide on our borders,
0:02:22 > 0:02:28our laws, and the taxpayers' money.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32It means getting the best deal for Britain.
0:02:32 > 0:02:38One that's unique to Britain and not an off-the-shelf solution.
0:02:38 > 0:02:43We are confident of negotiating a position that means this country
0:02:43 > 0:02:45flourishing outside the European Union,
0:02:45 > 0:02:52keeping its members as our friends, allies and trading partners.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54We will leave the European Union but not
0:02:54 > 0:02:55turn our back on Europe.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58We heard we were going to hear what the
0:02:58 > 0:03:00government's strategy for Brexit was but what we have heard instead
0:03:00 > 0:03:03hasn't been a strategy, it hasn't been thought out plan, it's just
0:03:03 > 0:03:06been more empty platitudes.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08Many of us this afternoon wanted rather more
0:03:08 > 0:03:15detail than a few more reheated old sound bites this afternoon.
0:03:15 > 0:03:20and what we got is an essay on how
0:03:20 > 0:03:23waffle means waffle.
0:03:23 > 0:03:28Can I commend to him the approach of the Japanese
0:03:28 > 0:03:30government, which spent the last seven weeks not simply
0:03:30 > 0:03:33going to the lengths of setting up a Brexit commission
0:03:33 > 0:03:34but has reported its results.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37I hope that diligence and speed will inspire his work in his
0:03:37 > 0:03:38department over the months to come.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41He should know well that what we are doing
0:03:41 > 0:03:45at the interests of a limited number of companies,
0:03:45 > 0:03:47and a limited number of banks, which is obviously the issue
0:03:47 > 0:03:50for the Japanese government.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52We're looking at the interests of our whole economy.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54So it will take just touch longer.
0:03:54 > 0:03:59So the Wednesday, and the Prime Minister was put on the spot.
0:03:59 > 0:04:09The UK Government has had all summer to come with a plan, as
0:04:09 > 0:04:11strategy, so far we have just had waffle.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14So may I ask the Prime Minister a simple question
0:04:14 > 0:04:15but quite important,
0:04:15 > 0:04:18does she want the UK to remain fully within the European single market?
0:04:18 > 0:04:21What I want for the UK is that we put into
0:04:21 > 0:04:23into practice, the vote that was taken
0:04:23 > 0:04:26by the people of the UK to leave the European Union.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29And I say to the right Honourable gentleman
0:04:29 > 0:04:32And I say to the right Honourable gentleman that we can approach
0:04:32 > 0:04:34the vote that took place on the 23rd
0:04:34 > 0:04:36of June in two ways.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38Try and row back on it, have a second
0:04:38 > 0:04:39referendum, say we didn't really believe it.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42Actually, we are respecting the views of the British people.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45But more than that.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47We will be seizing the opportunities that
0:04:47 > 0:04:50leaving the European Union now gives us to forge a new role for the
0:04:50 > 0:04:51United Kingdom in the world.
0:04:51 > 0:04:56The European single market is the biggest market in the world
0:04:56 > 0:04:58and it really matters to our businesses
0:04:58 > 0:05:01and to our economy.
0:05:01 > 0:05:10I asked the Prime Minister a very, very simple question.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12There is either an in or out answer.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15So let me ask it again.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18Does she want the United Kingdom to remain fully part of the European
0:05:18 > 0:05:19single market? Yes or no?
0:05:19 > 0:05:21The right honourable gentleman doesn't seem to
0:05:21 > 0:05:25quite understand...
0:05:25 > 0:05:29What the vote on the 23rd of June was about.
0:05:29 > 0:05:30The United Kingdom will leave European Union
0:05:30 > 0:05:34and we will build a new relationship with the European Union.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38That new relationship will include control of
0:05:38 > 0:05:42the movement of people from the EU into the UK
0:05:42 > 0:05:45the movement of people from the EU into the UK and it will include
0:05:45 > 0:05:46the right deal for trade
0:05:46 > 0:05:48in goods and services.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51That is how to approach it, and I also say this to him.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54In looking at negotiations, it would
0:05:54 > 0:05:57not be right for me or this government to give a running
0:05:57 > 0:05:59commentary on negotiations.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02The Brexit secretary said that staying
0:06:02 > 0:06:04in the single market was improbable.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06The Prime Minister's spokesperson said that was not the case.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09It's one or the other, can't be both.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12So can the Prime Minister tell the house
0:06:12 > 0:06:15what the government's policy actually is?
0:06:15 > 0:06:18It will be a new relationship, and as indicated in my statement and
0:06:18 > 0:06:25in Prime Minister's Questions, I will not be giving a running
0:06:25 > 0:06:28commentary and the government will not be giving a running
0:06:28 > 0:06:31commentary, and there is a very good reason for doing that.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33We want to get the best deal, the right deal
0:06:33 > 0:06:36for the UK, and if we were to give a constant running commentary,
0:06:36 > 0:06:40and give away our negotiating hand and that would not be what we would
0:06:40 > 0:06:41achieve.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43Why did the Prime Minister authorise a very public dressing down
0:06:43 > 0:06:52of the Brexit secretary, merely for telling
0:06:52 > 0:06:54of the Brexit secretary, merely for telling the house that
0:06:54 > 0:06:56membership of the single market and free
0:06:56 > 0:06:58movement of people tend to go together?
0:06:58 > 0:07:01Isn't it possible the Brexit secretary, who has believed
0:07:01 > 0:07:04in this stuff for years, has thought more deeply about it
0:07:04 > 0:07:06than the Prime Minister, who has been a Brexiteer
0:07:06 > 0:07:08for a matter of weeks?
0:07:08 > 0:07:11And can we revert to in this house to the
0:07:11 > 0:07:13traditional practice, where ministers are disciplined for
0:07:13 > 0:07:18misleading the house, as opposed to the odd occasion
0:07:18 > 0:07:20occasion where they're court telling the truth?
0:07:20 > 0:07:22Please could she tell us and clear up the
0:07:22 > 0:07:25confusion, do she value membership of the single market, does she think
0:07:25 > 0:07:28it should be an aim or an objective of the negotiations, and we should
0:07:28 > 0:07:30be trying to stay in it if we can?
0:07:30 > 0:07:32We will be looking to develop a new model
0:07:32 > 0:07:35of the relationship between the UK and the European Union,
0:07:35 > 0:07:38and we will not, as I said earlier, be setting out every bit of our
0:07:38 > 0:07:40negotiating hand in advance of entering those negotiations,
0:07:40 > 0:07:45because that would be the best way to come out with the worst deal.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47Definitely not the last word on Brexit.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49Now, are they the way to improve social mobility?
0:07:49 > 0:07:51Or do they belong to a bygone era?
0:07:51 > 0:07:53The words 'Grammar Schools' more often than not produce
0:07:53 > 0:07:56a strong reaction - either for or against -
0:07:56 > 0:07:59among both public and politicians.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01And even before the Government unveiled its consultation
0:08:01 > 0:08:04on its plans, allowing every secondary school in England
0:08:04 > 0:08:09to become a grammar, MPs and peers were getting
0:08:09 > 0:08:12their thoughts in early.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14In the Commons the Education Secretary, herself the product
0:08:14 > 0:08:16of a comprehensive school, said she was open-minded
0:08:16 > 0:08:18about selection.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20She said the education world had seen many changes
0:08:20 > 0:08:23in the last 30 years.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27We now have a whole variety of educational offers available.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30There will be no return to the simplistic
0:08:30 > 0:08:32binary choice of the past where schools separate children into
0:08:32 > 0:08:37winners and losers, successes or failures.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39This government wants to focus on the future,
0:08:39 > 0:08:42to build on our successes
0:08:42 > 0:08:45and create the truly 21st-century school system.
0:08:45 > 0:08:50But we want a system that can cater for the
0:08:50 > 0:08:53talents and the abilities of every single child.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55So, to achieve that, we needed truly diverse range of
0:08:55 > 0:08:57schools and specialisms.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00This policy will not help social mobility, Mr
0:09:00 > 0:09:05Speaker, but will entrench inequality and disadvantage.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08It will be the lucky few who can afford the
0:09:08 > 0:09:11tuition and who can get ahead and the disadvantaged that will be left
0:09:11 > 0:09:14behind.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17The Secretary of State well knows that apart from the best
0:09:17 > 0:09:20possible teaching, the most important thing we can do for our
0:09:20 > 0:09:24young people is to encourage them as they make their way through school.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27Given that we still as a nation are dealing with a legacy of a divided
0:09:27 > 0:09:31education system, why on earth does she think that subject in more
0:09:31 > 0:09:3311-year-old children to that experience, 34 parents having opened
0:09:33 > 0:09:35the bloke, telling them that they have failed
0:09:48 > 0:09:50opened the envelope, telling them
0:09:50 > 0:09:51that they have failed
0:09:51 > 0:09:53is going to encourage and support them in their
0:09:53 > 0:09:55self-esteem and in day continuing career through the education system?
0:09:55 > 0:09:58I'm sure many across Torbay where three grammar schools work perfectly
0:09:58 > 0:10:00well with comprehensive schools, a studio school and a very
0:10:00 > 0:10:01successful technical college,
0:10:01 > 0:10:04we've been listening to some of the comments we've had today,
0:10:04 > 0:10:06particularly from the Shadow Education Secretary with some
0:10:06 > 0:10:07amazement.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10Would she agree with me that really there is nothing radical
0:10:10 > 0:10:13about the idea that we are going to give other areas the chance
0:10:13 > 0:10:15to have the education system that Torbay
0:10:15 > 0:10:17already benefits from?
0:10:17 > 0:10:19The Minister will surely share the view that the
0:10:19 > 0:10:22biggest and most significant problem in British education is the long
0:10:22 > 0:10:25tale of underperforming boys in our poorer areas, few of whom will
0:10:25 > 0:10:26actually pass the 11 plus.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28How on earth does she think the creation of
0:10:28 > 0:10:31grammar schools, in simple terms, is a solution to this?
0:10:31 > 0:10:33As my right honourable friend will know, people
0:10:33 > 0:10:35move to Kent because of its grammar schools.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38Does she agree that it is not right for an excellent academic
0:10:38 > 0:10:41education to be only available to those who can move to the catchment
0:10:41 > 0:10:43areas of outstanding schools?
0:10:43 > 0:10:46We do need to improve diversity and improve choice.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48As the Prime Minister said, the reality is that
0:10:48 > 0:10:54too often in Britain, we do have selection,
0:10:54 > 0:10:56but it is on the basis of house prices, which is
0:10:56 > 0:10:58totally unacceptable.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00And plenty of opinions also in the House of Lords.
0:11:00 > 0:11:06Does the Minister not accept that for every
0:11:06 > 0:11:08grammar school, there is consequentially three secondary
0:11:08 > 0:11:09modern schools?
0:11:09 > 0:11:12In other words, that comprehensive schools become
0:11:12 > 0:11:14secondary modern schools so that one child's social mobility is
0:11:14 > 0:11:17bought at the expense of the destruction of opportunity
0:11:17 > 0:11:21for three other children?
0:11:21 > 0:11:23Anyone concerned about the great lack of social mobility in recent
0:11:23 > 0:11:27years will be delighted about any possibility of the return
0:11:27 > 0:11:30to grammar schools since it was their destruction
0:11:30 > 0:11:36that was a major cause of the reduction of social mobility.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38Thoughts on grammar schools.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41And now a look at some of the other stories around Parliament
0:11:41 > 0:11:42in the last seven days.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44As the Paralympic Games move into full swing,
0:11:44 > 0:11:47British success at the Rio Olympics was recognised in Parliament.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50Team GB came second in the Medals table, pushing the Chinese out
0:11:50 > 0:11:53to third place.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57I know that the whole House will join me in congratulating the
0:11:57 > 0:12:04British Olympic team on a truly magnificent performance in Rio.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07That record medal haul, second in the
0:12:07 > 0:12:10table ahead of China, and so, many memorable moments.
0:12:10 > 0:12:19We can say they did their country proud.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21Can I join the Prime Minister in congratulating the entirety
0:12:21 > 0:12:23of the Olympic team for their fantastic achievements
0:12:23 > 0:12:24at the Olympics in Rio.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26How safe is this place?
0:12:26 > 0:12:29BBC Panorama reveals the concerns of a whistle-blower about standards
0:12:29 > 0:12:33at the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant in Cumbria.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35Local MPs are worried.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38I have many constituents who work at Sellafield and they have
0:12:38 > 0:12:44been in touch with me because they are concerned
0:12:44 > 0:12:52about what the Panorama programme said about safe staffing levels.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54These staff are committed to high standards of safety.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57They are a huge asset to our nuclear industry.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59And they feel undermined what has been said in this programme.
0:12:59 > 0:13:09As far as the independent regulator is concerned, who attaches enormous
0:13:10 > 0:13:12who attaches enormous importance to Sellafield in terms
0:13:12 > 0:13:13of the resources they commit to monitoring this,
0:13:13 > 0:13:14Sellafield is safe.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17Is it ready for take-off or at least approaching the runway?
0:13:17 > 0:13:19Peers wonder about the future of Heathrow Airport.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22Should we now consider not asking the question as to whether or not
0:13:22 > 0:13:25Heathrow is going to have a runway but ask the question
0:13:25 > 0:13:29of whether Gatwick and Heathrow are going to have runways?
0:13:29 > 0:13:32My honourable friend Lord Spicer asked where the government
0:13:32 > 0:13:36decision would be announced.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39I wonder if my noble friend could answer that question?
0:13:39 > 0:13:43The best answer I can give is that the government will be
0:13:43 > 0:13:47looking to make that decision very shortly.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50A glimmer of hope in the temps to end a long dispute.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53Junior doctors in England have called off their planned week
0:13:53 > 0:13:55of strikes in September but walk-outs are still
0:13:55 > 0:13:58on the cards for future months.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01This afternoon's news delaying the first strike
0:14:01 > 0:14:03is of course welcome.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06But we mustn't let it obscure the fact that the remaining planned
0:14:06 > 0:14:10industrial action is unprecedented in length and severity and will be
0:14:10 > 0:14:13damaging for patients, some of whom will already have
0:14:13 > 0:14:16had operations cancelled.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20The public is looking for the Secretary of State to try
0:14:20 > 0:14:24and meet the junior doctors, stop vilifying, stop pretending
0:14:24 > 0:14:28they are the enemy within, and meet their reasonable demands.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32New term, new lands for the future.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35At the Scottish Parliament, Holyrood, the First Minister sets
0:14:35 > 0:14:37out the legislative way forward.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40The outcome of the EU referendum has created significant uncertainty
0:14:40 > 0:14:44and anxiety for individuals, businesses, organisations,
0:14:44 > 0:14:47and communities right across the country.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51We will introduce a Social Security Bill.
0:14:51 > 0:14:57This will see us takes the first steps towards a distinctive
0:14:57 > 0:14:59Scottish social security system, based on dignity and respect.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02This bill will be a powerful demonstration of our determination
0:15:02 > 0:15:05to use new powers to create a fairer Scotland that we wish to see.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09I hope that this will start a new phase in the British
0:15:09 > 0:15:11government's approach to welfare.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14One which spends less time complaining about policy and more
0:15:14 > 0:15:17time spelling out what it intends to do with the powers it has.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20A new report says the Palace of Westminster is not just creaking
0:15:20 > 0:15:24and crumbling, it could suffer at catastrophic event.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28One MP wonders if it is worth spending billions
0:15:28 > 0:15:31on restoration and renovation.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34This morning it was announced that billions of pounds will be spent
0:15:34 > 0:15:36on refurbishing this House.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39I'm sure the Leader of the House meant to announce that we were going
0:15:39 > 0:15:42to have a full statement on when we are going
0:15:42 > 0:15:44to have a proper debate in government time about this
0:15:44 > 0:15:46proposal, particularly when they learn that this could cost
0:15:46 > 0:15:50up to ?4.3 billion of public money.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54And I'm sure all of the constituents would want to know if that is a good
0:15:54 > 0:15:56use of public money.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59Does anybody know what this man does in his latest job?
0:15:59 > 0:16:02Patrick McLoughlin is the new Chancellor of the Duchy
0:16:02 > 0:16:04of Lancaster.
0:16:04 > 0:16:05Come again?
0:16:05 > 0:16:08The honeymoon period for the Chancellor of the Duchy
0:16:08 > 0:16:11of Lancaster is well and truly over.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13I've been asking a series of questions about his
0:16:13 > 0:16:16responsibilities, which have not been answered,
0:16:16 > 0:16:19after 56 days in office.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23So, can I ask any member of his team, where is he today
0:16:23 > 0:16:25and what does he actually do?
0:16:25 > 0:16:30The honourable gentleman has asked a number of questions.
0:16:30 > 0:16:35I'll make sure that I relate his questions to the Chancellor
0:16:35 > 0:16:36of the Duchy of Lancaster.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38But he is responsible for the chancellory
0:16:38 > 0:16:40of the Duchy of Lancaster.
0:16:40 > 0:16:45And as a tailpiece, MPs have been putting their dogs through their
0:16:45 > 0:16:48paces in the hope of winning the coveted award of Westminster dog
0:16:48 > 0:16:50of the year.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53The award went to Labour's Jonathan Reynolds and his two dogs named
0:16:53 > 0:16:57after two American presidents Clinton and Kennedy.
0:16:57 > 0:17:02Well, moving swiftly on, in a first photo Westminster party,
0:17:02 > 0:17:06Greens have elected Caroline Lucas and Jonathan Bartley as co-leaders,
0:17:06 > 0:17:10replacing Natalie Bennett, who stood down as leader in July.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14Job sharing remains rare in the world of politics.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16They have been calls to allow MPs to split their workload
0:17:16 > 0:17:18between two people.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21Our reporter Ros Ball spoke to the Conservative MP
0:17:21 > 0:17:25Sarah Wollaston who was herself a job sharing obstetrician and GP.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29Ros asked her why she thinks job sharing might work for MPs.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33Well, I have experience of job sharing myself as a doctor.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35I job shared for over a decade.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39I think the thing about job sharing is there are a lot
0:17:39 > 0:17:41of advantages to it, not only the individuals themselves
0:17:41 > 0:17:43who are job sharing the people that are working for.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46Very often, you end up with more than the equivalent
0:17:46 > 0:17:48of a single whole time worker.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51You often also bring into areas of expertise, so, for example,
0:17:51 > 0:17:54the job share partner that I was working with in medicine,
0:17:54 > 0:17:57we both had areas of special interest and we could both bring
0:17:57 > 0:17:59that to the role.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02But I think within politics, I can see that working very well.
0:18:02 > 0:18:10So, for example, someone might have a lot of expertise in health
0:18:10 > 0:18:12and social care, for example, but less expertise in business.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16If I was job sharing with somebody who had that role, we could bring
0:18:16 > 0:18:17both into a single role.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19I think also, crucially, you could allow some people
0:18:19 > 0:18:23to become MPs who might not be able to do so if it was a
0:18:23 > 0:18:24single full-time role.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26So, somebody, perhaps, with disabilities, who didn't feel
0:18:26 > 0:18:28they were able to commit to a full-time role
0:18:28 > 0:18:30for whatever reason.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33I think that would allow us to have a much more representative
0:18:33 > 0:18:35parliament which I think is a good thing.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37So, who needs more convincing about job sharing, do you think?
0:18:37 > 0:18:40Is it the people at Westminster or is that the public?
0:18:40 > 0:18:44Understandably, people feel very strongly about the link,
0:18:44 > 0:18:47the constituency link, and they worry that we
0:18:47 > 0:18:48would have pitfalls.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51People look at what would happen if it didn't work out,
0:18:51 > 0:18:53what would happen if one person dropped out, all these
0:18:53 > 0:18:55kinds of things.
0:18:55 > 0:18:59But that can happen with single full-time MPs as well.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03I think rather than seeing all these things as insurmountable barriers,
0:19:03 > 0:19:07yes, we should look at how you could overcome them,
0:19:07 > 0:19:11and I think very clearly upfront people should have a plan for how
0:19:11 > 0:19:15they would manage that because obviously it is the voters
0:19:15 > 0:19:18who decide, if the voters didn't want to have a job sharing
0:19:18 > 0:19:22MP representing them, they could put their cross
0:19:22 > 0:19:24elsewhere, just as they can do now.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26So, the Green party are forging ahead and job sharing
0:19:26 > 0:19:28for the leadership role.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30As someone who has job shared, what would your advice be to them
0:19:30 > 0:19:32for how to make it work?
0:19:32 > 0:19:34My advice would be communication.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37My advice would be communication. Between you and also outside.
0:19:38 > 0:19:39I would love to see this work.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43I'm really enthusiastic about job sharing so I say congratulations
0:19:43 > 0:19:47to the Green Party for being prepared to be trailblazers in this,
0:19:47 > 0:19:50and I hope it works and the absolute key to it, I think,
0:19:50 > 0:19:53is good communication.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55Sarah Wollaston.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57Now, a little bit of history.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59In 1999, the government of Tony Blair got rid
0:19:59 > 0:20:01of all the hereditary members of the House of Lords.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03Well, not quite all.
0:20:03 > 0:20:0692 hereditaries were left.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10And despite several deaths over the years, there are still 92.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13The reason being that every time I hereditary peer passes away,
0:20:13 > 0:20:17an election is held within the Lords to replace him or her.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21Labour peer Lord Grocott has said this temporary measure has gone way
0:20:21 > 0:20:24past its sell by date and watched to be ditched.
0:20:24 > 0:20:29In most respects, hereditary peer is in this House are completely
0:20:29 > 0:20:37indistinguishable from any other peer, apart from the absurd anomaly
0:20:37 > 0:20:40of their being able to pass on their passage to another
0:20:40 > 0:20:42of their number when they die or retire.
0:20:42 > 0:20:47My Lords, the by-election system is way, way, way past
0:20:47 > 0:20:48its sell by date.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51My bill scraps it into simple clauses.
0:20:51 > 0:20:57For this House to take the lead would enhance our reputation
0:20:57 > 0:20:59and improve our Parliament.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01Its passage would hurt no one and cost nothing.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04The history of debate in this House about the future of hereditary
0:21:04 > 0:21:10peer by elections has not been a happy one.
0:21:10 > 0:21:14But let us put an end to them now, pass this bill, and put an end
0:21:14 > 0:21:18to a process which does no credit to this House, to Parliament
0:21:18 > 0:21:20generally, or to British democracy.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23The government does not believe that now is not the time
0:21:23 > 0:21:26for comprehensive reform, given the priorities elsewhere.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30Not least implementing the result of the EU referendum.
0:21:30 > 0:21:35My noble friend talks about incremental changes
0:21:35 > 0:21:39and then says, oh gosh, we've got a lot of other important
0:21:39 > 0:21:42things to deal with, such as Brexit.
0:21:42 > 0:21:49I cannot understand why this tiny, modest bill which will take very
0:21:49 > 0:21:52little time of Parliament should be in any way compromised
0:21:52 > 0:21:55by the other major changes.
0:21:55 > 0:22:05I cannot understand why the Government should resist
0:22:05 > 0:22:07this tiny but important and sensible bill.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09It would just change the whole position of the House,
0:22:09 > 0:22:12and this is not the time to do that.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15But what we do want to do is keep talking about this problem
0:22:15 > 0:22:19and the new leader...
0:22:19 > 0:22:20The new leader...
0:22:20 > 0:22:22Let me finish.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26The new leader looks forward to working with peers to support
0:22:26 > 0:22:30incremental reforms which command consensus across the House.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34And Lord Grocott's bill that would end the hereditary by-election
0:22:34 > 0:22:37system was later given initial approval but it is not likely
0:22:37 > 0:22:40ever to pass into law.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43Finally, in a year of huge political change, the first week
0:22:43 > 0:22:46of the new term produced one more.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50The House of Commons home affairs committee is under new management.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53The Conservative Tim Lawton will be in charge until a new committee
0:22:53 > 0:22:55chair is elected.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58It follows the resignation of this man, Keith Vaz,
0:22:58 > 0:23:02who became the latest politician brought down by a sex scandal.
0:23:02 > 0:23:06The Labour MP endured several days of salacious revelations
0:23:06 > 0:23:08in the tabloid press.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11Keith Vaz have chaired the home affairs committee for nine years,
0:23:11 > 0:23:14a period when its profile was raised considerably.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18The sessions were often topical and newsworthy,
0:23:18 > 0:23:22and Mr Vaz's style of chairmanship was always worth a watch.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25Mr Buckles, since last Thursday, when this matter was raised
0:23:25 > 0:23:30in the House of Commons, your company's value
0:23:30 > 0:23:34has gone down by 9%, your chairman has issued a statement
0:23:34 > 0:23:39not necessarily backing your position, why are
0:23:39 > 0:23:41you still in your post?
0:23:41 > 0:23:43Er...
0:23:43 > 0:23:45Mr Robbins, this is very unsatisfactory, I'm surprised that
0:23:45 > 0:23:48you cannot answer a question about whether or not someone
0:23:48 > 0:23:52who is reporting to view knows what their budget is.
0:23:52 > 0:23:59I need to excuse you from this committee because I think your
0:23:59 > 0:24:01your evidence so far has been unsatisfactory.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04I would be grateful if you would let me know by six o'clock today
0:24:04 > 0:24:05whether he knows what it is.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07That is all this committee is asking.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10Mr Burnham is not a member of this committee so what goes
0:24:10 > 0:24:12on between him and the Home Secretary is entirely different.
0:24:12 > 0:24:13Do you understand that?
0:24:13 > 0:24:14I do understand that.
0:24:14 > 0:24:15Good.
0:24:15 > 0:24:16So, thank you for coming.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18OK.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20Peter would never let me and if I had ever done that,
0:24:20 > 0:24:23Peter would have been all over me like a rash.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27All of this sounds more like Clouseau rather than Columbo.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29I mean, I have to say...
0:24:29 > 0:24:33You're having dinner with people you are investigating, you don't
0:24:33 > 0:24:37know they are being investigated, you sign deals two months...
0:24:37 > 0:24:40I know they are being investigated, of course I do.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44I, in one of my interviews, said I'll take...
0:24:44 > 0:24:48If anyone can prove what I said is an true, I will take them out
0:24:48 > 0:24:49the best dinner of the lives.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51Oddly enough, one has come with it.
0:24:51 > 0:24:56If any of you can demonstrate what I said isn't true,...
0:24:56 > 0:24:59It may be that actually no one wants to have dinner with you.
0:24:59 > 0:25:00Ignore victims!
0:25:00 > 0:25:02I think we are running out of time.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04I have a final question about...
0:25:04 > 0:25:06Time is infinite. Unfortunately...
0:25:06 > 0:25:09You cannot run out of time.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11Who is next? Theresa May?
0:25:11 > 0:25:15She may not show up.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17Check she knows what day it is.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19Mr Brand, I have a final question for you.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21Some interesting moments from what we might call
0:25:21 > 0:25:23the Keith Vaz years at the home affairs select committee.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25Never a dull moment. Well, almost.
0:25:25 > 0:25:26That is it for this programme.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28There will be more fall-out from the grammar schools
0:25:28 > 0:25:31announcement in the Commons and the Lords in the next few days.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33Cabinet minister David Davies will be undergoing a grilling
0:25:33 > 0:25:35on the Brexit issue.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37So, do join me for the next week in Parliament.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40Until then, from me, Keith Macdougall, goodbye.
0:26:38 > 0:26:43I know the House will join me in congratulating