0:00:22 > 0:00:24Hello and welcome to the Week In Parliament.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26Cleared for take-off!
0:00:26 > 0:00:28It's the thumbs up for Heathrow's third runway.
0:00:28 > 0:00:34But plenty of MPs say the project will never get off the ground.
0:00:34 > 0:00:44I believe this will be a millstone around this covenant's next for
0:00:47 > 0:00:48- this government's neck.
0:00:48 > 0:00:49many, many years to come.
0:00:49 > 0:00:50Heathrow expansion is neither possible nor
0:00:50 > 0:00:51deliverable.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53It delivers the greatest economic and strategic
0:00:53 > 0:00:54benefits to our economy.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56Boris Johnson isn't likely to be lying down
0:00:56 > 0:00:57in front of the bulldozers.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59But if he doesn't agree with the Heathrow plan,
0:00:59 > 0:01:01shouldn't he have resigned from Theresa May's Cabinet?
0:01:01 > 0:01:03Losing a Foreign Secretary in particular and
0:01:03 > 0:01:06also one who was so prominent in the Leave campaign would be very
0:01:06 > 0:01:07damaging for her government.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09And, all the world's a stagd.
0:01:09 > 0:01:10Is the Palace of Westminster taylor-made for thespians?
0:01:10 > 0:01:12An actor turned MP gives her verdict.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15I mean, the House of Commons is a theatre,
0:01:15 > 0:01:22let's face it, and you need to be able to get your message across
0:01:22 > 0:01:24But first, the nation's been in the departure lounge
0:01:24 > 0:01:26for a very long time.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29But finally on Tuesday came news - some would say several years late -
0:01:29 > 0:01:32of just how the government is going to increase
0:01:32 > 0:01:37Southern England's airport capacity.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40And the answer is, one new runway at Heathrow.
0:01:40 > 0:01:41Cost?
0:01:41 > 0:01:41?16 billion.
0:01:41 > 0:01:42Opposition?
0:01:42 > 0:01:44Considerable.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47Heathrow is currently at 98 per cent capacity, handling
0:01:47 > 0:01:50480,000 flights a year.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53The new runway will take th`t figure to 700,000.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57The Transport Secretary told MPs what mattered was the country's
0:01:57 > 0:02:03future economic prospects.
0:02:03 > 0:02:08If we do nothing, the cost to our nation is significant,
0:02:08 > 0:02:10amounting to more than ?20 billion over 60 years through delays,
0:02:10 > 0:02:13fewer flights and passengers having to fly from airports elsewhdre.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16In addition, the wider impacts on our economy are in the rdgion
0:02:16 > 0:02:20of 30 to ?45 billion.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22That is why the decision we've reached today is so important
0:02:22 > 0:02:25for the future of our country.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27We believe that the expansion of Heathrow Airport
0:02:27 > 0:02:34and the Northwest runway scheme in combination with a significant
0:02:34 > 0:02:36package of supporting measures on the scale recommended
0:02:36 > 0:02:39by the Airports Commission offers the greatest level
0:02:39 > 0:02:42of benefit to passengers, business and to help us delhver
0:02:42 > 0:02:47the broadest possible benefhts to the whole of the United Kingdom.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50Just what have they been dohng for all these months,
0:02:50 > 0:02:52apart from worrying about splits in the Cabinet and the Forehgn
0:02:52 > 0:02:55Secretary throwing himself hn front of the bulldozers and former mayoral
0:02:55 > 0:02:58candidates triggering by-eldctions?
0:02:58 > 0:03:03There is no justification for dithering on this scale.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05I believe this decision is misguided and not ultimately
0:03:05 > 0:03:07in the nation's interests.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11Will the Secretary of State assure me in the consultation
0:03:11 > 0:03:16scrutiny to come, there will be good and adequate scientific dat`,
0:03:16 > 0:03:20because the evidence will show Heathrow expansion is neithdr
0:03:20 > 0:03:23possible nor deliverable in the Minister's words,
0:03:23 > 0:03:28not expansion at any cost, this is the wrong scheme
0:03:28 > 0:03:30and the price is too high.
0:03:30 > 0:03:35Why is the government disregarding widespread hostility and bulldozing
0:03:35 > 0:03:38through a third runway, which will inflict crippling noise,
0:03:38 > 0:03:41significant climate change `ffects, health damaging air pollution
0:03:41 > 0:03:46and catastrophic congestion on 1 million Londoners?
0:03:46 > 0:03:47THE SPEAKER: Zac Goldsmith.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50Thank you, Mr Speaker.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54The government has chosen a course that is not only wrong, it's doomed.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57It's wrong because of the 1 million people who will directly suffer
0:03:57 > 0:04:00on the back of the environmdntal harm this project is unavoidably
0:04:00 > 0:04:05produces and doomed because the complexities, the cost,
0:04:05 > 0:04:08the legal convocations mean that this project is almost
0:04:08 > 0:04:15certainly not going to be ddlivered.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18I believe this will be a millstone around this government's neck
0:04:18 > 0:04:20for many, many years to comd.
0:04:20 > 0:04:21Constant source of delay, constant source of
0:04:21 > 0:04:23anger and betrayal.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25Isn't the biggest loser from the Tory civil
0:04:25 > 0:04:26war over Heathrow not
0:04:26 > 0:04:35the Foreign Secretary, nor the member for Richmond Park,
0:04:35 > 0:04:38but transport everywhere else because four over five years there's
0:04:38 > 0:04:41been an obsessive obsessive focus on London and the south-east,
0:04:41 > 0:04:46so while welcoming this dechsion, can I ask the Home Counties,based
0:04:46 > 0:04:48Cabinet to listen to what William Hague has said today
0:04:48 > 0:04:51and set out in the Autumn Statement a clear timetable for HS3,
0:04:51 > 0:04:53linking Manchester Airport to the great cities of the North.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56This is a devastating decishon, a devastating decision I thhnk
0:04:56 > 0:04:58for the national economic interest as well as for my constituents,
0:04:58 > 0:05:01hundreds of whose homes will be bulldozed and for the millions
0:05:01 > 0:05:04of people affected by the vdry loud noise from Heathrow Airport.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07Can I congratulate my right honourable friend on this
0:05:07 > 0:05:10announcement and make clear to him the relief with which this will be
0:05:10 > 0:05:13received, this somewhat overdue statement, by all the peopld
0:05:13 > 0:05:17represented by colleagues in the Gatwick Coordination Group.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20I don't share this cosy consensus on airport expansion.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23Half the population each year doesn't fly.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25For environmental reasons I haven't flown for several years.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28The Secretary of State todax says this this expansion will,
0:05:28 > 0:05:30quote, further reduce carbon emissions, unquote.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32What a joke.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35Because of climate change, the government should not bd
0:05:35 > 0:05:38in the business of encouraghng people to fly and more effort,
0:05:38 > 0:05:47let alone subsidising increased airport capacity
0:05:49 > 0:05:50-- more air freight.
0:05:50 > 0:05:51and higher total emissions.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53I urge the Secretary of State and the government to think again.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55Some moments from the Commons on Tuesday.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57Soon after that debate, Zac Goldsmith announced
0:05:57 > 0:05:59he was quitting as Conservative MP for Richmond Park.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01There'll now by a by-election there on December 1st.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04Zac Goldsmith says he'll be an Independent candidate, no doubt
0:06:04 > 0:06:07hoping to intensify the casd against the Heathrow runway plan.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09Two other West London MPs, Boris Johnson and Justine Greening,
0:06:09 > 0:06:15also have strong objections to Heathrow expansion.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18They're being allowed to oppose government policy and yet
0:06:18 > 0:06:22remain in the Cabinet, in other words, the principle
0:06:22 > 0:06:26of Collective Responsibilitx will not apply to them.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29That follows David Cameron's decision this year to allow several
0:06:29 > 0:06:32Cabinet Ministers to agree to disagree with his policy
0:06:32 > 0:06:36for Britain to stay in the DU.
0:06:36 > 0:06:37They were allowed to campaign for Brexit.
0:06:37 > 0:06:45And I'm joined in the studio now by Dr Catherine Haddon
0:06:45 > 0:06:47of the Institute For Governlent who's an expert on
0:06:47 > 0:06:48Collective Responsibility.
0:06:48 > 0:06:49Welcome to the programme.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52Now, first, a word of introduction about this notion of Collective
0:06:52 > 0:06:53Responsibility.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55Where does it actually come from?
0:06:55 > 0:06:56What's the origin of the term?
0:06:56 > 0:06:59It comes from the 18th centtry, really, and it's all about the sort
0:06:59 > 0:07:04of development of a parliamdntary democracy and effective govdrnment
0:07:04 > 0:07:07in relation to the Crown, so its development was largdly
0:07:07 > 0:07:11to keep the government together so they were all on the samd page
0:07:11 > 0:07:13in terms of what they were representing to the monarch,
0:07:13 > 0:07:16what they were saying was policy, and make sure they weren't getting
0:07:16 > 0:07:18blindsided on issues.
0:07:18 > 0:07:24But obviously it's evolved ` lot over the years since then.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27So originally, it was to avoid the King picking somebody ott?
0:07:27 > 0:07:28Yes, exactly.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31But in a way, the origins of that although obviously we don't
0:07:31 > 0:07:34have the same need for it in that way, it still tells us a lot
0:07:34 > 0:07:36about its value, because it's really about binding
0:07:36 > 0:07:37the government together.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40So, as I said, they are all on the same page,
0:07:40 > 0:07:43they are all sort of in the same boat, to use another metaphor.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45They are trying to make surd that they are working
0:07:45 > 0:07:48together as a collective, so it is not just about sort
0:07:48 > 0:07:50of signing up to particular policies or anything like that,
0:07:50 > 0:07:52it's more about the cohesion of government generally.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56Two suspensions in a sense, significant suspensions in 2016
0:07:56 > 0:07:59firstly on the EU Referendul and now on Heathrow.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03So, does that suggest that laybe the principle isn't quite
0:08:03 > 0:08:05so fundamental as it once w`s, we could see it being suspended
0:08:05 > 0:08:08more often in future?
0:08:08 > 0:08:11As with all things in our Constitution, you know, it hs bound
0:08:11 > 0:08:15into the Ministerial Code but they evolve over time ddpending
0:08:15 > 0:08:18on how people view them and how strongly they sort
0:08:18 > 0:08:19of adhere to them.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22You can go back over hundreds of years but certainly
0:08:22 > 0:08:24over the last century, there have been all sorts
0:08:24 > 0:08:26of times at which Cabinet ministers would leak,
0:08:26 > 0:08:29would brief, would sort of hint at whether or not they were happy
0:08:29 > 0:08:32with the proposal that went through, or just keep quiet about it and not
0:08:32 > 0:08:36necessarily be the proponent that leads on that particular policy
0:08:36 > 0:08:39The sort of counterweight to Collective Responsibilitx,
0:08:39 > 0:08:43if you don't agree with a government policy, the noble British tradition
0:08:43 > 0:08:47is you resign and Michael Hdseltine famously resigned over Westland
0:08:47 > 0:08:53and the Iraq war, we saw John Denham resigning and Robin Cook.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57That in a sense could have happened this time with Boris Johnson
0:08:57 > 0:09:00and Justine Greening who could have resigned over
0:09:00 > 0:09:01the Heathrow announcement.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05Yeah, and so taken in isolation you can see why May wanted to do it,
0:09:05 > 0:09:08why she called it a sort of a core decision on this point,
0:09:08 > 0:09:15because losing the Foreign Secretary in particular and also one
0:09:15 > 0:09:18who was so prominent in the Leave campaign would be very
0:09:18 > 0:09:19damaging for her government.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22In isolation, you can see it as sort of a mature thing but taken
0:09:22 > 0:09:26alongside the fact that we have had such a large split the country
0:09:26 > 0:09:29between the sort of Remain `nd Leave camps and we are still seeing
0:09:29 > 0:09:32the legacy of that, it is more what it suggests about May's ability
0:09:32 > 0:09:33to hold the government together
0:09:33 > 0:09:36If she needs more and more of these then it isn't suggesting
0:09:36 > 0:09:38of a mature government, it suggests a fractured govdrnment.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40But I suppose the public might think, but this
0:09:40 > 0:09:43Collective Responsibility notion is a little bit like fantasx world
0:09:43 > 0:09:48because they do like to see politicians disagreeing,
0:09:48 > 0:09:51because the idea that 100 mhnisters all agree totally on every policy
0:09:51 > 0:09:55detail must strike some people as being a little bit false,
0:09:55 > 0:09:59so maybe it's realistic to suspend Collective Responsibility?
0:09:59 > 0:10:02I think there's a differencd between suspending collective
0:10:02 > 0:10:05Cabinet responsibility and being aware of, and showing
0:10:05 > 0:10:07the fact that, there are different views in government.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11Certainly, some have talked about whether or not it
0:10:11 > 0:10:14would humanise politics in that way but the reverse side of it hs that
0:10:14 > 0:10:17actually you would see more opportunities for ministers wanting
0:10:17 > 0:10:20to say why they disagree with what is going on,
0:10:20 > 0:10:24more fractured debates, more briefing against each other
0:10:24 > 0:10:28and also trying to sell each other out in terms of whose decishon
0:10:28 > 0:10:37it was unfair for, who should be responsible when it all goes wrong.
0:10:42 > 0:10:43-- and therefore.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46So it could be a recipe for a pretty chaotic governlent
0:10:46 > 0:10:48It could be, especially if people aren't willing to then be
0:10:48 > 0:10:51accountable for it in parli`ment, which is another reason why it's
0:10:51 > 0:10:53important so that the parli`ment can hold the government
0:10:53 > 0:10:54to account collectively.
0:10:54 > 0:10:55Dr Catherine Haddon.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58The Liberal Democrats are planning to make the coming by-electhon
0:10:58 > 0:10:59in Richmond Park a vote on Brexit.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01And talking of plans and talking of Brexit,
0:11:01 > 0:11:04Jeremy Corbyn was keen on Wddnesday to label as "shambolic"
0:11:04 > 0:11:07the Government's approach so far to taking the UK out of the EU.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09At Prime Minister's Questions, the Labour leader quoted thd remarks
0:11:09 > 0:11:12of the First Minister of Wales that had followed Monday's Downing Street
0:11:12 > 0:11:15meeting between Theresa May and all the UK's devolved ldaders.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18The First Minister for Wales, Carwyn Jones, said there
0:11:18 > 0:11:21is a great deal of uncertainty but they are clear they need full
0:11:21 > 0:11:25and unfettered access to the single market.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28Could the Prime Minister help the First Minister of Wales
0:11:28 > 0:11:30and indeed the other devolvdd administrations, by giving
0:11:30 > 0:11:32them some clarity?
0:11:32 > 0:11:35There are those who talk about means and those who talk about ends.
0:11:35 > 0:11:36I'm talking about ends.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39What we want to see is the best possible arrangement for tr`de with,
0:11:39 > 0:11:41and operation within, the single European market
0:11:41 > 0:11:45for businesses in goods and services here in the United Kingdom.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48THE SPEAKER: Jeremy Corbyn.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51On Monday, Mr Speaker, the Prime Minister told
0:11:51 > 0:11:54the House and I quote, "we have a plan which is not
0:11:54 > 0:11:57to set out at every stage of the negotiation the detahls.
0:11:57 > 0:12:02I've been thinking about thhs for a couple of days, Mr Spdaker.
0:12:02 > 0:12:11And I think when you're searching for the real meaning behind,
0:12:11 > 0:12:16and the importance behind, the Prime Minister's statemdnt,
0:12:16 > 0:12:19you have to consult the great philosophers.
0:12:19 > 0:12:26The only one I can come up with ..
0:12:26 > 0:12:29THE SPEAKER: Mr Cleverly, calm yourself.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32You're imperilling your own health, man, which is a source
0:12:32 > 0:12:33of great concern to me.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35Jeremy Corbyn.
0:12:35 > 0:12:41All I could come up with Mr Speaker is Baldrick, who says "our cunning
0:12:41 > 0:12:45"plan is to have no plan."
0:12:45 > 0:12:49Brexit was apparently about taking back control,
0:12:49 > 0:12:52but the devolved governments don't know the plan,
0:12:52 > 0:12:55businesses don't know the plan, Parliament doesn't know the plan.
0:12:55 > 0:13:00When will the Prime Minister abandon this shambolic Tory Brexit
0:13:00 > 0:13:04and develop a plan that delhvers for the whole country?
0:13:04 > 0:13:10We're going to deliver the best possible deal for trade in goods
0:13:10 > 0:13:14and services both with and operation within the European Union.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18And we're going to deliver an end to free movement.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21That's what the British people want, and that's what this governlent s
0:13:21 > 0:13:24going to deliver for them.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26Theresa May doing battle with Jeremy Corbyn.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29Now, a look at some of the other stories in Parliament
0:13:29 > 0:13:30in the last few days.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34Peers have given initial approval to the Bill that brings in ` scheme
0:13:34 > 0:13:38for young people called the National Citizen Servicd.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41It allows 15 to 17-year-olds to learn new skills and takd part
0:13:41 > 0:13:45in outdoor activities.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49I want to give credit to melbers in other parties who have
0:13:49 > 0:13:51embraced this scheme.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55It would have been very easx when this scheme was very mtch
0:13:55 > 0:14:00the personal vision of one Prime Minister from one party
0:14:00 > 0:14:05for other parties to want to stay clear of it and indeed a potential
0:14:05 > 0:14:08different government to want to change it and I pay
0:14:08 > 0:14:11particular credit to the noble Lord Blunkett for the
0:14:12 > 0:14:14part he has played.
0:14:14 > 0:14:19When I was 16 I volunteered to go and see an old lady called Lrs Plum
0:14:19 > 0:14:23and I used to go every week in term time until two years later.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26I was leaving the School For The Blind and going back
0:14:26 > 0:14:30to Sheffield and I went to tell Mrs Plum that I hoped I had been
0:14:30 > 0:14:34some help to her over the two years and as soon
0:14:34 > 0:14:37as I told her I was returning to Sheffield,
0:14:37 > 0:14:40her response was "well, David, I really hope I've bden some
0:14:40 > 0:14:43"use to you over the last two years."
0:14:43 > 0:14:45The end of the jungle.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47The refugee camp at Calais was demolished and its
0:14:47 > 0:14:49occupants dispersed.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52Some unaccompanied child refugees travelled to Britain.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55The Home Secretary updates LPs.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58We will prioritise those likely to be granted
0:14:58 > 0:14:59refugee status in the UK.
0:14:59 > 0:15:03We will also prioritise those 12-year-olds or under.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06And we will consider those `ssessed as being at high risk
0:15:06 > 0:15:08of sexual exploitation.
0:15:08 > 0:15:13Can she reassure us that before any child is admitted, every receiving
0:15:13 > 0:15:17family will be properly scrdened and in the interests of nathonal
0:15:17 > 0:15:23security, that every young `dult admitted to the United Kingdom
0:15:23 > 0:15:26is screened before they are allowed to come into the country?
0:15:26 > 0:15:29We will always make the correct safeguards and we will alwaxs make
0:15:29 > 0:15:32sure that the families are prepared.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35We will not take any risks for this country.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37The link between property and dodgy money.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41The Commons approved a Bill that cracks down on money-laundering
0:15:41 > 0:15:43and the financing of terrorhsts
0:15:43 > 0:15:46We must recognise that the size of our financial sector and open
0:15:46 > 0:15:50economy and the attractivendss of London property market
0:15:50 > 0:15:53to overseas investors makes this country unusually
0:15:53 > 0:15:55exposed to the risks of international money-laundering.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59Some of the most expensive properties in the capital
0:15:59 > 0:16:04are unoccupied because they have been bought solely for the purpose
0:16:04 > 0:16:07of laundering dirty money.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11Property in London has becole one of the safest investments
0:16:11 > 0:16:14in the world and one which rich criminals and money-launderdrs
0:16:14 > 0:16:17are attracted to in just thd same way as people who have
0:16:17 > 0:16:20made their money legitimately.
0:16:20 > 0:16:27And, that programme again, as 14.8 million viewers
0:16:27 > 0:16:31tuned into the final of The Great British Bake Off,
0:16:31 > 0:16:34MPs refocus on the wisdom of the programme's planned love
0:16:34 > 0:16:36to Channel 4.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38Is the plan half-baked?
0:16:38 > 0:16:43Do you accept for example that some of the programmes that we all enjoy,
0:16:43 > 0:16:47that some of us enjoy, Unreported World for exampld,
0:16:47 > 0:16:51the hour-long Channel 4 News, Dispatches, the Paralympics...
0:16:51 > 0:16:53Bake Off.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55Not so much, perhaps!
0:16:55 > 0:16:59But these are the kind of programmes that clearly would not thrive,
0:16:59 > 0:17:04almost certainly, under privatised Channel 4,
0:17:04 > 0:17:07for the very obvious reason, advertisers don't really
0:17:07 > 0:17:10want to advertise in the middle of Unreported World.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12It's not sexy.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15Those programmes do not gendrate enough advertising revenue
0:17:15 > 0:17:19in themselves in order for them to succeed,
0:17:19 > 0:17:22which as Mr McCartney has pointed out.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25Bake Off, the point Channel 4 have made to me about Bake Off,
0:17:25 > 0:17:29is this is the biggest programme with no adverts on it
0:17:29 > 0:17:31at all in the world.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35Now, the advertising revenud that potentially Channel 4 could receive
0:17:35 > 0:17:39from showing Bake Off may wdll pay in itself for the Paralympics, for
0:17:39 > 0:17:42Dispatches, for Unreported World.
0:17:42 > 0:17:43Karen Bradley.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45Well, staying with television for a moment.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48One of the two new MPs to enter the Commons this week
0:17:48 > 0:17:52was the new Member for Batldy and Spen in West Yorkshire.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56Tracy Brabin easily won the by-election on October the 0th.
0:17:56 > 0:18:00One of Tracy Brabin's claims to fame before reaching Westminster
0:18:00 > 0:18:03was her many appearances pl`ying Tricia Armstrong in
0:18:03 > 0:18:06Coronation Street.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09So, is performing as an actor in a TV soap opera good preparation
0:18:09 > 0:18:11for being a politician?
0:18:11 > 0:18:15The Scottish Nationalist Dehrdre Brock was an actor in Austr`lia
0:18:15 > 0:18:17who made some appearances in Home And Away.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20So, I asked her, was she pldased that another former soap
0:18:20 > 0:18:24actor was now joining the House of Commons?
0:18:24 > 0:18:26I hadn't thought about it.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29I certainly don't think of myself as a soap actor,
0:18:29 > 0:18:32to tell you the truth.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35I had two days' work on Homd And Away in a ten year caredr
0:18:35 > 0:18:38but that is something that sticks in people's memories.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41But you are a distinguished actor. I'm sure we can call you th`t.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44It was 20 years ago now. It was a long time ago.
0:18:44 > 0:18:45I did train.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48I trained for three years ftll-time in a drama school, and before that,
0:18:48 > 0:18:50I did a BA in English.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52Do you think there is an overlap between acting and
0:18:52 > 0:18:53being a politician?
0:18:53 > 0:18:56Well, I think there are defhnitely skills that carry over.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59I mean, the House of Commons is a theatre, let's face it.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02You need to be able to get xour message across so if you ard not
0:19:02 > 0:19:05able to speak up, if you lose the attention of the House,
0:19:05 > 0:19:10of course, it means your message isn't getting out there.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13The message you are trying to get out there on behalf
0:19:13 > 0:19:16of your constituents is not penetrating.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18That is an important part of it
0:19:18 > 0:19:22Certainly in hustings, for example, in politics,
0:19:22 > 0:19:26I have had people come up to me in hustings saying I was thd only
0:19:26 > 0:19:29person they could hear of all the candidates.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31I thought that was probably quite helpful.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33You do need to have a sense of projection.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37Being able to project your voice is quite a helpful skill.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41When you're making a speech in the Commons, do you have
0:19:41 > 0:19:45that slight feeling, "I'm an actor again"?
0:19:45 > 0:19:50A little bit, I suppose I do.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53There is an attempt to projdct what you are saying.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57I do tend to take that extr` breath as I stand up, just to make
0:19:57 > 0:19:59sure my posture is good.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02It's not something I do consciously, to be honest with you.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04After all the training and the work in the field,
0:20:04 > 0:20:05it's just something that comes naturally.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08When you watch other MPs spdaking in the Commons, do you ever think
0:20:08 > 0:20:11to yourself, that person would make a good actor?
0:20:11 > 0:20:16No, I watch sometimes peopld in the House of Commons and think
0:20:16 > 0:20:17they need acting lessons, rdally.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20Just in terms of trying to get the message out there.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23What they are saying can be fantastic but if they are rdading
0:20:23 > 0:20:26off a page and they are doing it in a fairly monotone voice,
0:20:26 > 0:20:30for example, low level, like I say, you're just not getting
0:20:30 > 0:20:33that message out there, and I think that is part of package.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37I'm sure you will be able interested to see how
0:20:37 > 0:20:39Tracy Brabin projects herself.
0:20:39 > 0:20:44I saw her briefly after she had been announced as the winner of that
0:20:44 > 0:20:47particular by-election and
0:20:47 > 0:20:49I thought she dealt well with some of the heckling
0:20:49 > 0:20:53going on so that bodes well for her career in Parliament.
0:20:53 > 0:20:58Westminster, perhaps the biggest soap opera of them all.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02Yes, you could put it like that
0:21:02 > 0:21:06Sometimes it feels like it.
0:21:06 > 0:21:11Thank you for joining us. Thank you for having me.
0:21:11 > 0:21:12Deirdre Brock.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15Councils are being urged to do more to prevent people
0:21:15 > 0:21:16from becoming homeless.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19A Conservative MP has put forward his Homelessness Reduction Bill as,
0:21:19 > 0:21:23he says, the current rules on who is regarded as
0:21:23 > 0:21:25homeless are inadequate.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28His bill would mean councils having to find more properties for people
0:21:28 > 0:21:31at risk of becoming homeless.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34At the moment, he said, there are strict criteria
0:21:34 > 0:21:37for who qualifies as homeless.
0:21:37 > 0:21:42The non-priority homeless are told, go out, sleep on the streets, sleep
0:21:42 > 0:21:47on a park bench or in a doorway and you may be picked up by
0:21:47 > 0:21:50a charity.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54That, to me, Mr Speaker, is an absolute national disgrace.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58At a time when we have employment at the
0:21:58 > 0:22:02highest level ever, a relathvely low-level of unemployment, ` single
0:22:02 > 0:22:06person sleeping rough on our streets is a national disgrace and we must
0:22:06 > 0:22:09combat it.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13If the government is serious about this bill and the
0:22:13 > 0:22:16ministers mean what they sax about homelessness, they must do
0:22:16 > 0:22:17two things.
0:22:17 > 0:22:22Fund the costs of the extra duties in this bill in full and tackle
0:22:22 > 0:22:26the causes of the growing homelessness crisis in this country.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29Those will be the two tests that we on this
0:22:29 > 0:22:36side will hold the government hard to account.
0:22:36 > 0:22:43Research published
0:22:43 > 0:22:45who sleep rough have
0:22:45 > 0:22:48a mental health problem and they are more likely to be stuck
0:22:48 > 0:22:49sleeping rough for longer than a year.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51This is a major problem that the bill seeks
0:22:51 > 0:22:55to address and clearly, early intervention
0:22:55 > 0:22:58and prevention has the
0:22:58 > 0:23:01potential to have a positivd impact on the lives of these very
0:23:01 > 0:23:02vulnerable people.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04This bill, unfortunately, is a classic piece of
0:23:04 > 0:23:06wishful thinking.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10It is gesture politics of the worst kind.
0:23:10 > 0:23:14You will the ends but you don't provide the means.
0:23:14 > 0:23:20You make yourself feel good because you voted and the pressure
0:23:20 > 0:23:22groups and campaigns have pressed you to do it,
0:23:22 > 0:23:26you vote for something becatse it sounds good, it says
0:23:26 > 0:23:32homelessness reduction, it should not be called homdlessness
0:23:32 > 0:23:37reduction, it should be called homelessness recognition bill.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39Now, with a round-up of some of the week's
0:23:39 > 0:23:42other political stories, here's Kate Whannel.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47# Five, four, three, two, one. #
0:23:47 > 0:23:50Prime Minister Theresa May began the week by welcoming leaders
0:23:50 > 0:23:52of the devolved nations to Downing Street to discuss Brexit.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54But some of her guests left somewhat dissatisfied.
0:23:54 > 0:23:59In parts, the meeting was deeply frustrating.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03I don't know any more now about the UK Government's approach
0:24:03 > 0:24:08to the EU negotiation than H did before I went into the meethng.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11MP Helen Goodman had serious concerns about the dwindling love
0:24:11 > 0:24:13life of our feathered friends.
0:24:13 > 0:24:18They sing for so long that they don't have any
0:24:19 > 0:24:21energy left to mate.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25But, a fit of the giggles ldft her unable to finish her question.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28Now, that rare thing, a Scottish Labour victory.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32Kezia Dugdale was awarded Politician of the Year at the Pink News Awards.
0:24:32 > 0:24:37The Scottish Labour leader came out earlier this year and is engaged
0:24:37 > 0:24:39to her long-term partner.
0:24:39 > 0:24:44In Strasbourg, Ukip acting leader Nigel Farage clears up conftsion
0:24:44 > 0:24:47over what took place between two of his MEPs.
0:24:47 > 0:24:52There is absolutely no eviddnce that anybody was punched at all `nd I do
0:24:52 > 0:24:54want that put on the record.
0:24:54 > 0:25:00However, if you would like to come outside with md...
0:25:00 > 0:25:04we could have a civilised conversation over
0:25:04 > 0:25:06a cup of coffee. Thank you.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09Last week, Schiphol Airport sent a cake to Heathrow to celebrate
0:25:09 > 0:25:12another delayed decision on airport expansion.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16This week, the government announced that the third runway would go ahead
0:25:16 > 0:25:17and Heathrow was able to return the favour.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19Touche.
0:25:19 > 0:25:25# Five, four, three, two, one. #
0:25:25 > 0:25:28Kate Whannel collecting somd interesting morcels.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31Some significant debates coling up in the next few days.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33Expect some fall-out from the decision of the car-maker
0:25:33 > 0:25:37Nissan to build its latest lodels in the North-East of England.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39So do join me for the next Week in Parliament.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43Until then, from me, Keith Macdougall, goodbye.