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Mon, 6 May 2024

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Sienna Rodgers

Sienna Rodgers

Sienna Rodgers is Senior Writer at The House magazine.

GB Energy: What role will Labour's state-owned energy company really play?
Energy
By Sienna Rodgers
GB Energy: What role will Labour's state-owned energy company really play?
Labour’s pledge to create a state-owned energy company is key to its 2030 clean power target – yet has received little attention so far. Sienna Rodgers gets to the bottom of the GB Energy policy
Claire Coutinho: 'People want us to play a part in climate change, but not at any cost'
Energy
By Sienna Rodgers
Claire Coutinho: 'People want us to play a part in climate change, but not at any cost'
Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Claire Coutinho talks to Sienna Rodgers about her journey from banking to politics – and why those who speculate about her potential as a future chancellor may ‘need pills’
Jamie Driscoll predicts 'big upset' for Labour in North East mayoral race
Communities
By Sienna Rodgers
Jamie Driscoll predicts 'big upset' for Labour in North East mayoral race
North of Tyne mayor Jamie Driscoll speaks to Sienna Rodgers about quitting the Labour Party and why he is confident of winning the North East mayoral race as an independent
MPs diagnosed with cancer: 'If you so much as cough, someone wants your seat'
Health
By Sienna Rodgers
MPs diagnosed with cancer: 'If you so much as cough, someone wants your seat'
One felt unsupported by their party; all made every effort to continue working throughout their treatment. Sienna Rodgers speaks to four MPs diagnosed with cancer while serving constituents
Tanks on the lawn: Labour's plans for the Ministry of Defence
Foreign affairs
By Sienna Rodgers
Tanks on the lawn: Labour's plans for the Ministry of Defence
What are Labour’s plans for the Ministry of Defence? Sienna Rodgers reviews the problems that may await John Healey as defence secretary
Labour MP says party failed to support him after cancer diagnosis
Health
By Sienna Rodgers
Labour MP says party failed to support him after cancer diagnosis
Labour MP Barry Sheerman has said his party went back on its promise to support him after he was persuaded to run in the 2019 election despite having health problems.
Inside the Labour Party's overhauled campaign machine ahead of the general election
Political parties
By Sienna Rodgers
Inside the Labour Party's overhauled campaign machine ahead of the general election
Rochdale was a reminder that things can go badly wrong in unexpected ways, so Labour’s campaign machine must be well-oiled. Sienna Rodgers reports on the effort to get it into shape in time for the election
Steve Reed interview: 'There’s a definite perception Labour doesn’t get rural voters'
Environment
By Sienna Rodgers
Steve Reed interview: 'There’s a definite perception Labour doesn’t get rural voters'
Shadow Defra secretary Steve Reed talks to Sienna Rodgers about Labour’s drive to win back rural voters, how the party plans to show respect for the countryside, and his recipe for the perfect roast potato
Rural Voters Feel Labour Doesn’t 'Get' Them, Says Shadow Environment Secretary
Environment
By Sienna Rodgers
Rural Voters Feel Labour Doesn’t "Get" Them, Says Shadow Environment Secretary
Rural voters feel the Labour Party does not "get" them, shadow environment, food and rural affairs secretary Steve Reed has said in an interview with The House magazine.
Rushanara Ali: 'It’s depressing where things have got to in terms of investment in the UK'
Economy
By Sienna Rodgers
Rushanara Ali: 'It’s depressing where things have got to in terms of investment in the UK'
Shadow investment and small business minister Rushanara Ali talks to Sienna Rodgers about Labour’s offer to business, her work as a trade envoy to Bangladesh, and her thoughts on Gaza
'Second age of eugenics': Would you select an embryo for its chances of higher intelligence?
Health
By Sienna Rodgers
'Second age of eugenics': Would you select an embryo for its chances of higher intelligence?
Would you select an embryo according to its chances of higher intelligence? And is that even possible? Sienna Rodgers explores the ‘second age of eugenics’
Miriam Cates interview: 'Marriage is essentially meaningless if it is easy to get out of'
Health
By Sienna Rodgers
Miriam Cates interview: 'Marriage is essentially meaningless if it is easy to get out of'
Conservative MP Miriam Cates talks to Sienna Rodgers about population collapse, plus why she thinks all surrogacy should be outlawed and no-fault divorce was a ‘mistake’
'Space nerd' MP Mark Garnier on 'sexy' rockets and turning down Jeff Bezos
Technology
By Sienna Rodgers
'Space nerd' MP Mark Garnier on 'sexy' rockets and turning down Jeff Bezos
Sienna Rodgers talks to Space APPG chair Mark Garnier about his work with Britain’s pioneering spaceport, how rockets are ‘sexy’ and why he hasn’t gone to space yet
Baroness Smith: 'We should be honest about what we can achieve on Lords reform'
Parliament
By Sienna Rodgers
Baroness Smith: 'We should be honest about what we can achieve on Lords reform'
Would Labour really abolish the House of Lords? Sienna Rodgers talks to Baroness Smith about her party’s constitutional plans in government and her 35-year career in politics
Access talks: how Whitehall and Starmer's Labour will quietly prepare for government
Political parties
By Sienna Rodgers
Access talks: how Whitehall and Starmer's Labour will quietly prepare for government
A general election is on the way and Keir Starmer’s Labour Party must prepare for government. Sienna Rodgers explores a key mechanism: secretive talks between civil servants and the opposition party
PCC Donna Jones: 'You can’t police properly if you’re down on one knee'
Home affairs
By Sienna Rodgers
PCC Donna Jones: 'You can’t police properly if you’re down on one knee'
Who are police and crime commissioners, and what do they do? Sienna Rodgers talks to Conservative PCC and APCC chair Donna Jones to find out
Lord Blunkett interview: 'Don’t go down rabbit holes with the Tories'
Home affairs
By Sienna Rodgers
Lord Blunkett interview: 'Don’t go down rabbit holes with the Tories'
Lord Blunkett talks to Sienna Rodgers about his time as home secretary, his opposition to the government’s ‘stupid, impractical’ Rwanda plan, and his advice for the Labour leadership
'A fresh start': TSSA's new general secretary Maryam Eslamdoust
Political parties
By Sienna Rodgers
'A fresh start': TSSA's new general secretary Maryam Eslamdoust
The Labour-affiliated trade union TSSA was rocked by scandal last year. Sienna Rodgers speaks to Maryam Eslamdoust in her first interview as the new general secretary
Andy Burnham: 'Whitehall has got to get used to places like this answering them back'
Communities
By Sienna Rodgers
Andy Burnham: 'Whitehall has got to get used to places like this answering them back'
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham talks to Sienna Rodgers about Sue Gray, transplanting Westminster to the North, and his plans for no less than ‘the wholesale rewiring of Britain’
Keir Starmer Stance On Gaza Ceasefire Is “Untenable”, Says New Union Leader
Foreign affairs
By Sienna Rodgers
Keir Starmer Stance On Gaza Ceasefire Is “Untenable”, Says New Union Leader
The newly elected general secretary of a Labour Party-affiliated trade union has described Keir Starmer’s position on the Gaza ceasefire as “untenable” and called on him to “reflect on the facts”.
Mother knows best: are we overlooking the value of stay-at-home mums?
Economy
By Sienna Rodgers
Mother knows best: are we overlooking the value of stay-at-home mums?
The government is planning to make childcare more affordable for parents of younger children – but some MPs aren’t happy. Are we overlooking the value of stay-at-home mums? Sienna Rodgers reports
Nigel Farage Teases Tories That He Could Lead The Party In Three Years
Political parties
By Sienna Rodgers
Nigel Farage Teases Tories That He Could Lead The Party In Three Years
Former UKIP and Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage has dangled the prospect of becoming leader of the Conservatives within three years – if the party would readmit him.
Driverless cars: the future of travel or a road to nowhere?
Transport
By Sienna Rodgers
Driverless cars: the future of travel or a road to nowhere?
The future of travel – or a fantasy on the road to nowhere? Sienna Rodgers explores the long and winding journey for driverless cars.
Lord Altrincham interview: The Crown, mental health and the Bullingdon Club
Parliament
By Sienna Rodgers
Lord Altrincham interview: The Crown, mental health and the Bullingdon Club
Having taken a seat in the Lords and claimed the title renounced by his uncle, Lord Altrincham talks to Sienna Rodgers about The Crown, mental health and the Bullingdon Club
National Audit Office to launch inquiry into Unboxed festival
Culture
By Sienna Rodgers
National Audit Office to launch inquiry into Unboxed festival
The National Audit Office has announced an inquiry into Unboxed, dubbed the “Festival of Brexit”, after The House magazine revealed it had cost the government £120m but seen just 238,000 visitors.
Lord Clarke interview: The 'Big Beast' looks back on a career dominated by Europe
Brexit
By Sienna Rodgers
Lord Clarke interview: The 'Big Beast' looks back on a career dominated by Europe
Now in the Upper House after 50 years in the Commons, ‘Big Beast’ Lord Clarke shares with Sienna Rodgers his reflections on the Conservative Party, the economy and a career dominated by Europe
Where Are They Now? Sir Stephen O'Brien
Parliament
By Sienna Rodgers
Where Are They Now? Sir Stephen O'Brien
Sir Stephen O’Brien, Conservative MP for Eddisbury, 1999 – 2015
Margaret Hodge interview: 'I’m not a paedophile, a tax avoider, a Mossad agent'
History
By Sienna Rodgers
Margaret Hodge interview: 'I’m not a paedophile, a tax avoider, a Mossad agent'
As her time in Parliament draws to a close, Labour MP Margaret Hodge speaks to Sienna Rodgers about her 50 years in politics
Labour Party Jargon Buster: Use our glossary of terms at Conference '22
Political parties
By Sienna Rodgers
Labour Party Jargon Buster: Use our glossary of terms at Conference '22
The Labour Party is big on acronyms and niche patter – especially at Conference. To help you understand your comrades in Liverpool, Sienna Rodgers has created a glossary of terms
Angela Rayner interview: 'The Labour Party belongs to its members – we should remember that'
Political parties
By Sienna Rodgers
Angela Rayner interview: 'The Labour Party belongs to its members – we should remember that'
Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner speaks to Sienna Rodgers about her childhood, relations with trade unions and the party’s focus at Conference
Electoral reform set to dominate Labour Conference policy moves
Political parties
By Sienna Rodgers
Electoral reform set to dominate Labour Conference policy moves
In the latest issue of our magazine, a bumper edition for Labour Conference 2022, we offer key opposition party news from the policy motions drawing the attentions of delegates to the latest trigger ballot developments...
Angela Rayner Has Urged Labour HQ To Address Concerns Over MP Deselections
Political parties
Angela Rayner Has Urged Labour HQ To Address Concerns Over MP Deselections
Exclusive: Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner has raised concerns with party HQ over accusations that some MPs have been threatened with deselection by their local parties.
Red Lines: The key sources of internal party tension at Labour Conference ’22
Political parties
By Sienna Rodgers
Red Lines: The key sources of internal party tension at Labour Conference ’22
From worries over a lack of vision to hostility between the party and its affiliated trade unions, Sienna Rodgers looks at the key likely sources of Labour tension at Conference ’22
Government Accused Of 'Squandering' Money On 'Catastrophic' Project Dubbed 'Festival Of Brexit'
Culture
By Sienna Rodgers
Government Accused Of "Squandering" Money On "Catastrophic" Project Dubbed "Festival Of Brexit"
Exclusive: The government has been accused of having “squandered” £120m on an arts project dubbed the “Festival of Brexit” and told to “learn lessons” from the widely criticised venture.
Senior Tories plan new group to shed 'toxic' brand in appeal to Black Brits
Political parties
By Sienna Rodgers
Senior Tories plan new group to shed 'toxic' brand in appeal to Black Brits
Senior Black Conservatives are set to launch a new organisation with the aim of improving relations between their party and the United Kingdom’s African-Caribbean population.
Ken Clarke Accuses Liz Truss And Rishi Sunak Of “Half-Baked” Economic Crisis Response
Economy
By Sienna Rodgers
Ken Clarke Accuses Liz Truss And Rishi Sunak Of “Half-Baked” Economic Crisis Response
Exclusive: Former chancellor Ken Clarke has accused Tory candidates Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, as well as Labour leader Keir Starmer, of offering “half-baked” ideas on the economy.