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Jackie Ashley of The Guardian talks about this week's strike action with two politicians who used to be teachers. And she examines Labour's link with the trades unions.

Jackie Ashley of The Guardian looks behind the scenes at Westminster.

Number 10 said this week's strike by teachers and civil servants was a flop, But not everyone thought so. Here, two former teachers, the Labour MP Nicholas Dakin and the Lib Dem Phil - now Lord - Willis weigh the issues as public sector workers resist plans to cut their pensions.

Ed Miliband was condemned by some union leaders for saying industrial action was wrong. Strikes always seem to put a Labour leader on the spot - as the former industrial correspondent Nick Jones reflects here with former TUC insider, Adam Lent.

The Big Society is being investigated by a committee of MPs. They took evidence this week from the Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Rev Tim Stevens, and the Chief Executive of the British Humanist Association, Andrew Copson. How important are the Churches to David Cameron's big idea?

Finally, the Tory MP Mark Pritchard reveals the response to his defiant speech in the Commons last week calling for a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses.

The editor was Peter Mulligan.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Sat 2 Jul 2011 11:00

Chapters

  • Strikes

    Labour MP Nicholas Dakin and the Lib Dem Lord Phil Willis discuss this week's strike by teachers and civil servants.

    Duration: 08:20

  • Labour and strikes

    Former industrial correspondent Nick and former TUC insider, Adam Lent look back at Labour’s position on past industrial action.

    Duration: 06:40

  • The Big Society

    The Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Rev Tim Stevens, and the Chief Executive of the British Humanist Association, Andrew Copson on the importance of the Churches to David Cameron's big idea?

    Duration: 07:53

  • Backbench desent

    Tory MP Mark Pritchard discuss the response to his speech in the Commons calling for a ban on the use of wild animal in circuses.

    Duration: 04:33

Broadcast

  • Sat 2 Jul 2011 11:00

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