House Of Comments's Posts

From investigations into Dominic Raab, alleged loans to Boris Johnson and Nadhim Zahawi's tax affairs, the Conservative Party has been consumed by scandal and sleaze in recent times. Furthermore, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak does not seem to be able to get a grip on it all and the communications operation behind him isn't helping. Co-hosts Charlotte Henry and Emma Burnell unpack it all and wonder if there is any way back for Sunak and the Conservatives. The BBC chairman, the prime minister and the £800,000 loan guarantee - Sunday Times Nadhim Zahawi did not make ‘innocent error’, tax chief suggests - Telegraph Charlotte Henry on Twitter Charlotte Henry's newsletter, The Addition Emma Burnell on Twitter Emma Burnell's newsletter, Hard Thinking on the Soft Left House of Comments is a C.A.H Multimedia production in association with Political Human.

Co-hosts Charlotte Henry and Emma Burnell discuss the various implications of the UK Government invoking Section 35 in response to Scotland's Gender Recognition Reform Bill. Then they return to London to look at yet more scandals in the Metropolitan Police and why politicians need to step and implement widespread reform of the force.  Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill Elite Metropolitan police officer David Carrick revealed as serial rapist - Guardian Met Police officers investigated after strip-search of girl, 15 - BBC News Charlotte Henry on Twitter Charlotte Henry's newsletter, The Addition Emma Burnell on Twitter Emma Burnell's newsletter, Hard Thinking on the Soft Left House of Comments is a C.A.H Multimedia production in association with Political Human.

The political temperature is rising. Amidst ongoing trade union strike action, the government has introduced legislation to set minimum service levels for certain sectors. Co-hosts Charlotte Henry and Emma Burnell disagree on whether this is an assault on the right to strike but agree that the proposals, as they currently stand, are a bit of a mess. They also discuss Andrew Bridgen MP, who lost the Conservative Whip after peddling anti-vax conspiracies and invoking the Holocaust. Let us know what you think! Tweet us at @HoCPodcast. Charlotte Henry on Twitter Charlotte Henry's newsletter, The Addition "Not Buying It" - Charlotte's book on fake news What Do We Do When an MP Spreads Dangerous Misinformation About Covid-19 Vaccines? - The Addition Emma Burnell on Twitter Emma Burnell's newsletter, Hard Thinking on the Soft Left House of Comments is a C.A.H Multimedia production in association with Political Human.

It's 2023 and politics is back after the Christmas break. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer both made their first speeches of the year this week. Hosts Charlotte Henry and Emma Burnell discuss the differing visions and ideas they set out. They then head Stateside to look at the chaos there as Republicans fail to select a Speaker of the House of Representatives. Charlotte Henry on Twitter Charlotte Henry's newsletter, The Addition Emma Burnell on Twitter Emma Burnell's newsletter, Hard Thinking on the Soft Left House of Comments is a C.A.H Multimedia production in association with Political Human.

2022 is nearly over. It's been quite a year! Hosts Charlotte Henry and Emma Burnell look back on the last 12 months that included a devastating war on European soil, the passing of the UK's longest-serving monarch and political chaos that led to multiple Prime Ministers and Chancellors. In a year of difficulties, they finish on a positive note, picking out their favourite moments. Thanks for listening and see you in 2023! Crisis at Christmas is a wonderful cause that both Emma and Charlotte support. Please go to crisis.org.uk and support it in whatever way you are able to. Your money will help keep someone off the streets this Christmas. Charlotte Henry on Twitter Charlotte Henry's newsletter, The Addition Emma Burnell on Twitter Emma Burnell's newsletter, Hard Thinking on the Soft Left House of Comments is a C.A.H Multimedia production in association with Political Human.

This week, Charlotte and Emma debate the wave of strike action currently gripping the UK. Not surprisingly, they do not see eye-to-eye! Is the action a result of a failure by the government? Are the unions just doing their job and sticking up for their members, or is there another element to it? Crisis at Christmas is a wonderful cause that both Emma and Charlotte support. Please go to crisis.org.uk and support in whatever way you are able to. Your money will help keep someone off the streets this Christmas. Charlotte Henry on Twitter Charlotte Henry's newsletter, The Addition Emma Burnell on Twitter Emma Burnell's newsletter, Hard Thinking on the Soft Left House of Comments is a C.A.H Multimedia production in association with Political Human.

Former Prime Minister and Chancellor Gordon Brown has led a commission making recommending as series of constitutional and economic shake-ups for an incoming Labour government. These include a smaller, elected House of Lords and more devolution. Hosts Charlotte Henry and Emma Burnell debate the merits of these. They also touch on the end of Matt Hancock's political career and Raphael Warnock finally being set for a six-year term as the Senator for Georgia.  Report of the Commission on the UK’s Future  Matt Hancock to stand down as MP amid local criticism - BBC News Big win for Joe Biden as Democrats land outright majority in the US Senate - Sky News Charlotte Henry on Twitter Charlotte Henry's newsletter, The Addition Emma Burnell on Twitter Emma Burnell's newsletter, Hard Thinking on the Soft Left House of Comments is a C.A.H Multimedia production in association with Political Human.

A number of Conservative MPs have decided that they do not want to stand at the next General Election. Amongst them are significant backbenchers like William Wragg, up-and-coming junior minister Dehenna Davison and former Cabinet minister Chloe Smith. The most significant MP not running again, however, is former Chancellor Sajid Javid. News of his decision broke as "House of Comments" was recording. Hosts Charlotte Henry and Emma Burnell analyse what this all means for the Conservatives. They also discuss Ian Blackford stepping down as leader of the SNP in Westminster and the by-election in City of Chester. I'm a Tory - get me out of here - Hard Thing on the Soft Left Chester by-election: Sunak fails first by-election test, says Rayner - BBC News Ian Blackford to stand down as SNP leader at Westminster - BBC News Charlotte Henry on Twitter Charlotte Henry's newsletter, The Addition Emma Burnell on Twitter Emma Burnell's newsletter, Hard Thinking on the Soft Left House of Comments is a C.A.H Mult

As the fallout from Jeremy Hunt's Autumn Statement continues, Charlotte Henry is joined by Henry Hill, Deputy Editor of Conservative Home, to discuss the many and varied issues facing the Tories. What do they stand for now? Are they helping the right people? Henry also provides a fascinating insight into the internal dynamics at play within the Conservative Party. Britain is no country for young men - Stephen Daisley, The Spectator Charlotte Henry on Twitter Charlotte Henry's newsletter, The Addition Henry Hill at ConservtiveHome Henry Hill on Twitter House of Comments is a C.A.H Multimedia production in association with Political Human.

Hosts Charlotte Henry and Emma Burnell unpick Jeremy Hunt's Autumn Statement. They are both disappointed, but for different reasons! There is also discussion about the issues off the pitch ahead of the World Cup in Qatar. The Autumn Statement 2022 speech Autumn Statement 2022: Key points at-a-glance - BBC News Buy tickets for Emma's Play "Triggered" (If there are still any left!) Charlotte Henry on Twitter Charlotte Henry's newsletter, The Addition Emma Burnell on Twitter Emma Burnell's newsletter, Hard Thinking on the Soft Left House of Comments is a C.A.H Multimedia production in association with Political Human.

House of Comments is back! Emma Burnell returns with new host Charlotte Henry. This week they discuss Gavin Williamson's resignation and what it tells us about Rishi Sunak's government and Westminster more broadly. They also go Stateside to discuss the midterms. What did Gavin Williamson say? The text message row with Chief Whip Wendy Morton explained - i In battle for the Senate, the focus is on three states - Washington Post Charlotte Henry on Twitter Charlotte Henry's newsletter, The Addition Emma Burnell on Twitter Emma Burnell's newsletter, Hard Thinking on the Soft Left House of Comments is a C.A.H Multimedia production in association with Political Human.

In this episode Emma interviews the business executive and founder of Radix Joe Zammit-Lucia on his new book The New Political Capitalism. In it, he argues that businesses cannot ignore politics or stand apart from it, but have an intrinsic role in shaping politics just as politics shapes business. 

This one off episode is a discussion between Emma Burnell and Marc Stears. Previously a speechwriter for Ed Miliband, Marc now runs the Sydney Policy Lab.  The discussion focuses on Marc's book Out of the Ordinary which shows how a previous generation of socialist thinkers were inspired by the wonder of the everyday and how we could be again. 

Emma Burnell interviews Mathew Lawrence and Laurie Laybourn-Langton - authors of new book Planet on Fire: A Manifesto for the age of environmental breakdown. Buy the book here. Mat and Laurie's Dazed article is here: Tickets for Emma's first play - No Cure for Love - are available here. 

Emma Burnell talks to Preston Council Leader Cllr Matthew Brown about the 'Preston model' of community wealth building. An approach he describes as "extreme common sense". We discuss how the model works, how to get community buy-in and how transferable it is to other places. Paint Your Town Red: How Preston took back control and your town can too by Matthew Brown and Rhian E Jones

In this episode Emma Burnell interviews pollster and focus group guru Deborah Mattinson about her latest book Beyond the Red Wall.  The book looks at the kinds of voters that Labour lost from what were once its heartlands - what their passions, angers and expectations are.  Deborah's book is available here: https://www.bitebackpublishing.com/books/beyond-the-red-wall

In this episode, Emma Burnell speaks to Margaret Bolton from the Local Trust about how their Big Local projects are adapting to the 'new normal'. She also highlights their big idea of a Community Wealth Fund.

In this episode, Emma talks to Chris Clarke, author of Warring Fictions - left populism and its defining myths. 

In this fascinating episode Emma Burnell talks to author Margaret Heffernan about her book Uncharted - How to Map the Future together, The book looks at the prediction business and how to really plan for an unpredictable future. The book is available here https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/Uncharted/Margaret-Heffernan/9781471179785  and examples of Emma's journalism can be found here https://www.politicalhuman.com/journalism

In this special episode, Emma Burnell interviews David Swift, author of A Left For Itself: Left wing hobbyists and performative radicialism.  You can find the book here: https://www.johnhuntpublishing.com/zer0-books/our-books/left-for-itself