Parliament Matters: A podcast about the institution at the heart of our democracy
Join two of the UK's leading parliamentary experts, Mark D'Arcy and Ruth Fox, as they guide you through the often mysterious ways our politicians do business and explore the running controversies about the way Parliament works.
Each week they will analyse how laws are made and ministers held accountable by the people we send to Westminster. They will be debating the topical issues of the day, looking back at key historical events and discussing the latest research on democracy and Parliament. Why? Because whether it's the taxes you pay, or the laws you've got to obey... Parliament matters!
Submit your questions to the show
Mark and Ruth will be answering questions from listeners on all things Parliament during each show.
Learn more and send us your questions online via the button below.
Parliament Matters is produced by the Hansard Society with the support of the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, a Quaker trust which engages in philanthropy and supports work on democratic accountability.
To get the latest episodes as soon as they land, subscribe to the podcast here.
Latest episode
Rwanda Bill becomes law: but what was really going on behind the scenes in Parliament? Episode 31 - (26 April 2024)
Coming up
Our discussion with Chris Morris, Chief Executive of fact-checking organisation Full Fact, about MPs correcting the Hansard record and the threat that artificial intelligence poses to parliamentary democracy and the general election Episode 32 - (30 April 2024)
Previous episodes
Tobacco and Vapes Bill: free vote blows smoke in Rishi Sunak's eyes Episode 30 - (18 April 2024)
William Wragg's honeytrap crisis, and is Speaker Hoyle under threat? Episode 29 - ( 12 April 2024)
Defending free speech from SLAPPs: MP Wayne David on his Private Member's Bill Episode 28 - ( 29 March 2024)
Another Rwanda roadblock Episode 27 - ( 22 March 2024)
Unheard: the parliamentary snubbing of Diane Abbott Episode 26 - ( 15 March 2024)
The Budget: is the democratic deficit as bad as the financial deficit? How Parliament handles money. Episode 25 - ( 8 March 2024)
The Foreign Affairs Committee: commentator or influencer? A conversation with Alicia Kearns MP Episode 24 - ( 4 March 2024)
The Commons Speaker survives (for now), Liz Truss takes on the ‘Deep State’, plus how do we detoxify politics? Episode 23 - (1 March 2024)
The decline and fall of the political interview: A discussion with Rob Burley Episode 22 (27 February 2024)
Commons chaos: Can the Speaker survive a monumental misjudgement? Episode 21 (23 February 2024)
Urgent Questions: We answer your questions about how Parliament works Episode 20 (16 February 2024)
Gaffes and grace at PMQs Episode 19 (9 February 2024)
A potty-mouthed Parliament? Episode 18 (1 February 2024)
What if they gave a coup and nobody came? The Tory leadership soap opera continued Episode 17 (26 January 2024)
War powers, Rwanda ‘mayhem’ and Ian Dunt on the state of Westminster Episode 16 (19 January 2024)
The inside story: Parliament and the Post Office Horizon scandal Episode 15 (12 January 2024)
Election alert and the year ahead in Parliament: Why are so many election rules being changed? Episode 14 (special) (5 January 2024)
Parliament Matters Explains: How does Parliament make laws? Episode 13 (bonus) (2 January 2024)
Michael Crick & Tomorrow’s MPs: The latest news on parliamentary candidate selections Episode 12 (special) (29 December 2023)
Parliament Matters Explains: What do MPs actually do? Episode 11 (bonus) (27 December 2023)
Is Parliament a decaying organism? Lord Lisvane on our crumbling constitution Episode 10 (22 December 2023)
‘These guys like to be written about’: The art of parliamentary sketchwriting, with Rob Hutton Episode 9 (18 December 2023)
High drama or damp squib?… And what’s happening with pairing? Episode 8 (15 December 2023)
Westenders: The battle for the heart and soul of the Conservative Party Episode 7 (8 December 2023)
Legislative bodging: No way to run a chip shop! Episode 6 (1 December 2023)
Parliament’s ‘Wastefinder General’ on the ‘Big Nasties’ Episode 5 (24 November 2023)
Total reshuffle, emergency legislation and Parliament’s ‘Golden Ticket’ Episode 4 (17 November 2023)
Urgent Questions #1 Episode 3 (13 November 2023)
All change on the Committee corridor and regulating the conduct and standards of MPs Episode 2 (12 November 2023)
The King’s Speech, State Opening and the 1922 Committee Episode 1 (10 November 2023)
Subscribe to Parliament Matters
Use the links below to subscribe to the Hansard Society's Parliament Matters podcast on your preferred app, or search for 'Parliament Matters' on whichever podcasting service you use. If you are unable to find our podcast, please email us here.