Ken Clarke is the longest serving MP in the Commons – just don’t call him Father of the House. Inspired by Brexit to run in his Nottinghamshire seat for a 13th time at the last election, the Tory grandee believes British politics is in the midst of its “maddest” period since he first entered Parliament. Gearing up for what is likely to be the final battle of his career, the unflappable 77-year-old tells Robert Orchard how he thrives in a crisis

After nearly seven years as Black Rod, David Leakey left the post this week. In his first interview since standing down, Leakey speaks out over his fears of a “major” disaster at the Palace of Westminster – and urges MPs and peers to “find the courage” to back plans for its restoration 

Parliament officials have undertaken a top secret exercise to build a £600,000 'pop up' chamber, amid fears over the safety of the Palace of Westminster. Robert Orchard reports. 

The EU Withdrawal Bill is expected to reach the House of Lords early in the new year, after its four-month journey through the Commons. And, as Gary Connor reports, peers on all sides are determined to have their say 

The Trade Bill must focus on standards and rights – not just tariffs and quotas – or the UK will end up with a raw deal, warns Barry Gardiner

Sebastian Whale looks at what’s coming up in the Chamber and Westminster Hall this week

Without financial commitments to councils, police forces, the Crown Prosecution Service, legal aid and local schools, the Domestic Violence and Abuse Bill will provide little more than a lovely new bookend for a minister’s office, writes Jess Phillips

Graham Brady reflects on Parliament’s ‘dog years’ – and hopes Christmas recess will allow for tensions to be calmed and tempers soothed 

Since the general election the Labour party has proven increasingly adept at using parliamentary tools to expose the government. As Shadow Leader of the Commons, Valerie Vaz is determined to ramp up the pressure next year. She talks to Sebastian Whale

While Westminster obsesses over the ‘minutiae’ of Brexit, Tracey Crouch is more interested in getting on with her ‘dream’ job as minister for sport. She talks to Sebastian Whale about England’s World Cup chances, safeguarding athletes and the problem with ‘pressurised’ in-play gambling

Nick Clegg knows better than most how dramatically the pendulum can swing in British politics. As the battle lines are drawn over Brexit, the former Deputy Prime Minister talks to Labour’s Stephen Kinnock about the ‘evolving’ public debate and why next year’s ‘meaningful vote’ is shaping up to be the biggest decision in Parliament’s post-war history

Local democracy, human rights law and EU citizenship after Brexit are all debated this week. Gary Connor looks at what’s coming up in the upper chamber