Why Parliament is Falling Down with Hannah White

For this episode we spoke to Hannah White, deputy director at the Institute for Government. Her new book Held in Contempt charts the atrophying of Parliament throughout the Brexit and Covid years as the government has hoarded power for itself.

As well as looking at how the House of Commons could better scrutinise what government does, White also discusses the difficult working culture of Parliament, how its arcane procedures alienate the public, and how it can better represent the citizens its serves.

White oversees the institute’s programme of work on government, parliament and the civil service. She has more than a decade of experience in parliament and the civil service, and holds a PhD in human geography.

Held in Contempt is published this April by Manchester University Press.

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