All articles written by Sebastian Whale on PoliticsHome.com

08 Jul Coronavirus

Rishi Sunak hopes the UK’s economic response can define its handling of the coronavirus crisis

“We will not be defined by this crisis, but by our response to it.”

08 Jul Coronavirus

Ministers ‘messed up royally’ over PPE as MPs demand plan to protect NHS workers from potential coronavirus second wave

Ministers have been put on notice to solve problems with personal protective equipment (PPE) ahead of a feared second spike in cases of Covid-19.

04 Jul Economy

'Conservatism is going back to the future': inside the Tory battle to regenerate in the wake of coronavirus

Boris Johnson’s evocation of Roosevelt’s ‘new deal’ to announce the coronavirus economic recovery package was a successful piece of salesmanship. But does it signal a wider shift in the Conservative party? Sebastian Whale reports

30 Jun Political parties

The unusual channels: how to whip MPs in the age of coronavirus

With MPs dispersed across the country and social distancing rules disrupting life at Westminster, the coronavirus pandemic is, in the words of one politician, a “whips' worst nightmare”. Sebastian Whale explores how the art of whipping has evolved – and reports on how whips are adapting to a new age

23 Jun Political parties

Victory for campaigners as MPs will not debate bullying and harassment sanctions

MPs will not debate the most serious sanctions against a member determined by an independent panel after a widespread backlash to the plans by parliamentary staff and unions.

22 Jun Political parties

Revealed: the inside story of the explosive BBC Newsnight report into bullying and harassment in Westminster

MPs will on Tuesday vote on proposals for an independent expert panel to deal with bullying and harassment claims in Westminster. In an abridged extract from ‘Call to Order’, his biography of John Bercow, Sebastian Whale sheds light on the award-winning journalism that helped lead to this point

17 Jun Political parties

Exclusive: Commons staff furious at new plans to tackle Westminster bullying and harassment

Current and former parliamentary staff have lashed out at plans that would allow MPs to debate the suspension or expulsion of another member for bullying and harassment.

16 Jun Social affairs

Exclusive: MPs urged to reject ‘dangerous’ part of new plan to tackle Westminster bullying as vote looms

MPs are being urged to reject a “dangerous” part of proposals to tackle bullying and harassment in Westminster ahead of a looming vote on a new independent complaints panel.

13 Jun Political parties

‘Power concedes nothing without demand’ – black MPs on the ongoing struggle for equality

Racial equality has come a long way since the first black MPs were elected 33 years ago this week. But as Black Lives Matter forces us to confront difficult questions about our past and our future, Sebastian Whale hears from MPs about their experiences of racism in modern Britain and their hopes of achieving lasting change

06 Jun Environment

Inside the big Tory row over food standards as Boris Johnson eyes post-Brexit trade deals

The debate over chlorinated chicken and hormone-fed beef has had a distinctly 19th Century feel to it, with combatants split into two camps: free traders and so-called protectionists. As Britain embarks on a new future as a free trading nation, which side will prevail? Sebastian Whale reports

02 Jun Coronavirus

Living in the dark: the truth about special advisers

Shaped by several high-profile instances where the adviser became the story, the public image of SpAds is largely negative. But have a few notable characters distorted the reality of those who work behind the scenes? Sebastian Whale investigates

27 May Coronavirus

Inside the Liaison Committee as senior MPs prepare to grill Boris Johnson on coronavirus and Dominic Cummings

Boris Johnson will appear before the powerful Liaison Committee for the first time this afternoon, to face questions over his handling of coronavirus, the economy and Dominic Cummings. Committee chairs past and present talk to Sebastian Whale about getting the truth out of the PM

23 May Coronavirus

Rachel Reeves interview: “Usually, oppositions don’t want governments to succeed. That’s not the case at the moment”

Rachel Reeves is back on the Labour frontline after a five year hiatus. Though “shocked” to get the call up, the Leeds West MP is excited to be part of a team that she believes in. Tasked with pushing for a national recovery plan from the coronavirus crisis, she tells Sebastian Whale why we must address inequalities across society

20 May Coronavirus

Boris Johnson: a changed prime minister

In December 2019 Boris Johnson’s resounding election win made him the most powerful UK politician since Tony Blair. Having reshaped his party in his image, he had the means and the mandate not just to deliver Brexit, but to ensure his brand of Conservatism would dominate British politics for the next decade. Then everything changed. Sebastian Whale reports

19 May Coronavirus

Higher taxes, more pay for nurses and a bigger state – our exclusive poll reveals how MPs see the post-Covid society

Tax hikes, more pay for key workers, higher unemployment and a larger state – MPs have painted a picture of society after the pandemic

13 May Coronavirus

The Hybrid Parliament has set the right example - don't undo all that good work

The Hybrid Parliament has shown what can be done during a pandemic. Now is not the time to undo that good work

12 May Coronavirus

The Nandy doctrine: renewing the ‘moral commitment’ to an ‘ethical’ foreign policy

The shadow foreign secretary has made it her aim to win the argument on internationalism. Sebastian Whale explains

12 May Coronavirus

Sarah Atherton: 'Going into Parliament was like joining the army - but in Hogwarts'

Military veteran, nurse, Brexiteer and now the new Conservative MP for Wrexham – Sarah Atherton talks about life in lockdown, real ale, and why her time in public service solidified her politics

11 May Coronavirus

End of the ‘golden era’? The growing calls for a ‘decoupling’ from China

The Chinese Ambassador to the UK last week warned that increasingly vocal criticisms of Beijing from Conservative Members of Parliament risked “poisoning” UK-China relations. What’s behind the rift, and how should the UK approach one of the key foreign policy challenges of the coming decade? Sebastian Whale reports

09 May Brexit

John Bercow and the Clerks

From his championing of Urgent Questions to the creation of a creche, John Bercow was undoubtedly a reforming Speaker. But his working relationship with some parliamentary authorities – who he viewed as obstructive – was often stretched to breaking point. In an abridged extract from ‘Call to Order’, his new biography of the former Speaker, Sebastian Whale looks at the fraught relationships during the Bercow era

29 Apr Coronavirus

Could a Virtual Parliament help revive the Restoration and Renewal?

R&R has been beset by delays and concerns over costs, with some MPs believing the project is now dead in the water. But could virtual working help to revive the project and save the taxpayer money?

25 Apr Political parties

The Bollocked by Bercow Club

In an extract from Call to Order, his new biography of John Bercow, Sebastian Whale hears from MPs on the receiving end of the former Speaker’s short temper

23 Apr Coronavirus

Is the 'hybrid' Parliament here to stay?

With the introduction of a semi-virtual Parliament underway, some MPs are calling for the measures to be installed on a permanent basis. Sebastian Whale reports

21 Apr Coronavirus

What lay behind the UK’s ‘political decision’ to opt out of the EU’s ventilator procurement scheme?

The most senior Foreign Office official told MPs that ministers had been made aware of the scheme but made a "political decision" not to take part

21 Apr Coronavirus

Campaigner of the Week: Chi Onwurah

On a historic day for Parliament, the Labour frontbencher speaks to Sebastian Whale about her campaign to set up a virtual House of Commons

20 Apr Coronavirus

Coronavirus: A vacuum of global leadership

International cooperation has been found wanting in a time of global pandemic. With the United States retreating from its leadership role, and countries gripped by domestic health concerns, who can take control? Sebastian Whale reports

17 Apr Political parties

Peter Mandelson: I’m glad we stayed and fought during Labour’s darkest hour

Peter Mandelson was a key figure in the Labour Party’s long march back to power in the late 1980s and 1990s. As Keir Starmer embarks on a similarly arduous task, Mandelson is hopeful a new generation can climb the “steep mountain” ahead

17 Apr Political parties

EXCL Lord Mandelson accuses Labour officials behind leaked anti-semitism report of trying to 're-write history'

A leaked report which blames former Labour officials opposed to Jeremy Corbyn of hampering his efforts to tackle anti-semitism and sabotaging the party's 2017 election campaign is "an attempt to re-write history", according to Lord Mandelson.

27 Mar Coronavirus

Tobias Ellwood: “We’re moving towards a more populist, nationalistic, isolated post-virus world”

When the UK emerges from the coronavirus outbreak, Tobias Ellwood believes it will be greeted by a “worsening world”. With geopolitical threats refusing to go away, and “wily adversaries” likely to take advantage of the global crisis, the Defence Committee chair is concerned about the future. He talks to Sebastian Whale.

22 Mar Political parties

Wes Streeting: People in the Labour Party have got to start liking one another again. We've got to build a common cause

Since joining parliament in 2015, Wes Streeting has weathered an additional two general elections, an EU referendum, and rocked the boat with his criticism of Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership. The Labour MP sits down with Sebastian Whale to talk about his hopes for the future of the party

19 Mar Coronavirus

Coronavirus: How do we keep democracy running in a time of crisis?

These unprecedented times have not diminished MPs’ desire to hold the Government to account. But as the coronavirus spreads, and the operations of the Palace of Westminster becomes more complicated, parliamentary scrutiny will have to adapt. Sebastian Whale reports

09 Mar

Dawn Butler MP: 'Talking about racism is absolutely exhausting as a black woman'

For Dawn Butler, running for the deputy leadership has exposed structural barriers that are preventing people like her from progressing. To break through, the Labour frontbencher has released a 23-page manifesto, centred on the party’s membership. She walks Sebastian Whale through her plans

28 Feb

Alex Davies-Jones MP: 'It was heart-breaking seeing all these areas of my constituency under water'

Life in Westminster has got off to a whirlwind start for Pontypridd’s first woman MP. The Labour backbencher talks to Sebastian Whale about the party leadership, breastfeeding in the Commons and why a job in DCMS would be her dream role

24 Feb

Alicia Kearns MP: 'The first job of government is to keep people safe. There is no point having a good economy if people aren’t safe'

Alicia Kearns was working in her dream job at the Foreign Office when the draw of becoming an MP grew too strong. The Conservative backbencher, a counterterrorism expert, is relishing life in the Commons. From contracting Hepatitis A to advising scores of governments on deracialising terrorists, she walks Sebastian Whale through her life so far

03 Feb Political parties

Rosena Allin-Khan: “We need to take our party off life support”

Rosena Allin-Khan says Labour is in a “critical condition”. The A&E doctor, a relative unknown outside of Westminster, believes she has the plan to get her party off life support. But she is facing an uphill battle in the race to succeed Tom Watson as deputy leader. Having overcome many hurdles during her career, can she surprise people once more? She speaks to Sebastian Whale.

31 Jan Brexit

Steve Baker: “I’m very pleased we’ve won. But it should have been sorted out years ago”

With the UK on the way out of the European Union, you might expect Steve Baker to be feeling triumphant. Instead, the Brexiteer feels a degree of “melancholy” at the events of the past three years. Sebastian Whale talks to colleagues past and present about the Wycombe MP; the reluctant ‘Brexit hardman’ who played a crucial role in marshalling Eurosceptics in parliament. Photography by Baldo Sciacca