Labour’s leadership tangle: What does it mean for Parliament?

About this episode

The episode discusses the implications of the Labour leadership contest and recent political developments in Parliament with guest Professor Meg Russell.

A battle for Downing Street touched off by a ministerial resignation, a chunky new King’s Speech, and an increasingly unpredictable political environment provide plenty for us to discuss with our special guest, Professor Meg Russell, the former Director of the Constitution Unit. We begin with the Labour leadership contest, which was unfolding in real time as the podcast was recorded. With Labour Party rules, parliamentary rules and election law tangling together in the intricate battle to be Prime Minister, we explore how Labour’s rulebook could shape the outcome and the prospects for the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham to win a by-election, return to Westminster and enter the leadership race. Meg Russell asks a broader question: in an era of devolved politics, should parties make it easier for big figures such as metro mayors to stand for the leadership without the upheaval of first fighting a by-election? We also cast a preliminary eye over the legislation unveiled in the King’s Speech. Could the NHS Reform Bill give Wes Streeting a parliamentary platform to strengthen his credentials as a future Prime Minister? How will the new bill to remove peerages navigate the…

People in this episode

Host: Hansard Society

Guest: Professor Meg Russell

Topics covered

• Labour leadership
• political environment
• King's Speech
• by-elections
• devolved politics
• NHS Reform Bill
• Representation of the People Bill

Keywords

• Labour leadership
• politics
• King's Speech
• by-election
• NHS Reform Bill
• devolved politics
• Andy Burnham
• Wes Streeting
• Robin Cook MP

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Labour Party, NHS, Constitution Unit, Hansard Society

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