Sebastian Whale

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

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

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  

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.

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

For Remain campaigners, the evening of 12 December proved devastating. Months if not years of work to preserve Britain’s membership of the European Union had gone up in smoke. How do they plan to pick up the pieces? Sebastian Whale reports 

Steve Baker has revealed that he wants to be International Trade Secretary as Boris Johnson plans a major Cabinet reshuffle.

Controversial appointments coupled with a large influx of new peers have undermined the work done by many in the House of Lords to repair the Upper Chamber’s reputation, writes Sebastian Whale

The Culture Secretary believes a review of the licence fee should take place - but does not want to see the BBC's output suffer as a result, writes Sebastian Whale

The re-appointment of Nicky Morgan to Boris Johnson’s Cabinet raised eyebrows when it was announced in the days after the general election. Recently ennobled, the former MP still plans to “step back” from frontline politics – but insists she is not just keeping the seat warm for her successor. The Culture Secretary speaks to Sebastian Whale

The British Overseas Territories should be invited to become equal members of the United Kingdom after Brexit, according to a former Conservative minister.

The Tories are in a commanding position to address the many outstanding issues that have accumulated over the past few years. From boundary reforms to a bold offer to the Overseas Territories, former minister John Penrose has plenty of ideas for how his party can make the most of its newly acquired power. The MP talks to Sebastian Whale

Labour must do more than apologise for the "harm" and "distress" it has brought to the Jewish community in Britain, one of the party’s backbenchers has said.

Not everyone got caught up in the narrative that followed the 2017 general election. Bridget Phillipson raised concerns that her party were not learning the right lessons. With Labour suffering its worst election result in decades, the backbench MP warns the same mistakes cannot be repeated. She talks to Sebastian Whale

Political campaigns have always had a casual relationship with the truth. The 2019 general election was no different. But given the changing landscape, caused in part by the rise of social media, did political parties cross a line this time around? Sebastian Whale reports on a campaign to forget.

The Tories have become “rather blasé” about the impact of public spending cuts, according to the head of a leading economic think tank.