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George Parker of the Financial Times on new powers for the Bank of England; how to deal with petitions; and a personal story from a newly-promoted MP.

George Parker of the Financial Times looks behind the scenes at Westminster.

The Bank of England is to be given new powers - making its Governor perhaps the most powerful in the world. But is there enough accountability to the public? The Lib Dem David Laws and the Conservative Andrew Tyrie have their doubts.

This week has seen the latest debate in the Commons triggered by an e-petition of more than 100,000 signatures. But the system is not as straightforward as it looks. Labour's Natascha Engel and the Conservative Robert Halfon weigh the pros and cons.

The debate on Europe seems to be getting rougher - at least in the newspapers where coverage of Britain and Germany sometimes descends into caricature. The Labour German-born MP Gisela Stuart and ex-diplomat David Hannay are not surprised.

Finally, Chuka Umunna. talks about his own background as he starts his new job as shadow business secretary.

Editor; Peter Mulligan.

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30 minutes

Last on

Sat 19 Nov 2011 11:00

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  • Sat 19 Nov 2011 11:00

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