麻豆约拍

Carolyn Quinn talks to Paul Waugh, editor of the Politics麻豆约拍 website, about the week ahead at Westminster.

She discusses the big political stories with the Conservative MP Matthew Hancock and the Labour MP Lisa Nandy. Labour and the economy and the proposed reforms to the House of Lords are among the issues they debate. The MPs tell Carolyn about their first year as elected MPs.

John Beesley reports on the coalition's plans to fund American style 'open primaries,' which allow all constituents to have a say in the selection of a parliamentary candidate. The Conservative MPs Sarah Wollaston and Kwasi Kwarteng, both of whom were selected in open primaries, are interviewed. Politics professor Philip Cowley of Nottingham University comments. The Labour MP Anne Begg explains her misgivings about open primaries. Labour commentator Will Straw says he favours the idea.

Former civil servant Jill Rutter, now of the Institute for Government, explains why she believes politicians and Whitehall officials have to try harder to improve the quality of policymaking. She recommends ways in which policymaking could be improved and calls on civil servants to challenge ministers if they're not happy about how a policy is being formulated.

Programme Editor: Terry Dignan.