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Benedict Brogan, Deputy Editor of The Daily Telegraph, looks behind the scenes at Westminster.

Benedict Brogan Deputy Editor of The Daily Telegraph looks behind the scenes at Westminster.

In the past, armed forces chiefs and politicians have been respectful of each other, in public at least. Now recent leaks from the top brass of the MOD have exposed tensions between government and the military, leading to some exasperation on the part of the Prime Minister. Dan Jarvis ,a newly elected Labour MP with an impressive military record, joins the Conservative MP Adam Holloway, also a former soldier, in a consideration of the issues at stake in this relationship.

David Cameron is not having a cabinet re-shuffle this summer, he doesn't think it necessary. Lord Falconer experienced re-shuffles when Tony Blair was Prime Minister and Lord Fowler held a number of cabinet posts under Margaret Thatcher and John Major. In their view what purpose do re-shuffles serve?

The 2010 intake of Conservative MPs contains many Eurosceptics but they have been strangely quiet on the issue. Three members of that intake, Nadhim Zawahi, Priti Patel, and George Eustice, outline their approach to Europe.

The House of Lords is debating its future-should it be appointed or elected. Two new peers Michael Dobbs and Joan Bakewell talk about being members of the House of Lords.

The Editor was Marie Jessel.

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30 minutes

Last on

Sat 25 Jun 2011 11:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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18/06/2011

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02/07/2011

See all episodes from The Week in Westminster

Chapters

  • Defence

    Two former soldiers, Labour MP Dan Jarvis and Conservative MP Adam Holloway, reflect on the Prime Minister’s remarks about the top military brass.

    Duration: 05:12

  • Reshuffles

    Lord Falconer, Tony Blair’s Lord Chancellor, discusses the pros and cons of reshuffling a Cabinet with one of Margaret Thatcher’s longest-serving Ministers, Norman, now Lord, Fowler.

    Duration: 05:41

  • Eurosceptic Tories

    Three new Conservative MPs who regard themselves as Eurosceptic - Priti Patel, George Eustice and Nadhim Zahawi - consider their Government’s position on Europe.

    Duration: 05:20

  • House of Lords Reform

    Two new Peers, Joan Bakewell and Michael Dobbs, look at the House of Lords from a newcomer’s perspective.

    Duration: 05:32

Broadcast

  • Sat 25 Jun 2011 11:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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