Listen "What do we want from our MPs?"
Episode Synopsis
What does it mean to be a member of parliament? What do people expect from their elected representatives? And how much have these expectations changed in recent years?
The row about MPs’ second jobs has triggered a discussion about what MPs are for and what their priorities should be. From representing constituents and dealing with casework to scrutinising government and improving legislation, MPs have many responsibilities.
So how should an MP divide his or her time? How has this changed over recent years? Should MPs be taking on extra paid work outside parliament? And what do constituents ultimately want from their representative?
To discuss these questions and more, the IfG brought together an expert panel:
Tim Bale, Professor of Politics at Queen Mary, University of London
Sir Peter Bottomley, Conservative MP for Worthing West
Ben Lake, Plaid Cymru MP for Ceredigion
Marie Le Conte, political journalist and author
This event was chaired by Dr Catherine Haddon, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government.
#IfGParliament
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The row about MPs’ second jobs has triggered a discussion about what MPs are for and what their priorities should be. From representing constituents and dealing with casework to scrutinising government and improving legislation, MPs have many responsibilities.
So how should an MP divide his or her time? How has this changed over recent years? Should MPs be taking on extra paid work outside parliament? And what do constituents ultimately want from their representative?
To discuss these questions and more, the IfG brought together an expert panel:
Tim Bale, Professor of Politics at Queen Mary, University of London
Sir Peter Bottomley, Conservative MP for Worthing West
Ben Lake, Plaid Cymru MP for Ceredigion
Marie Le Conte, political journalist and author
This event was chaired by Dr Catherine Haddon, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government.
#IfGParliament
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
More episodes of the podcast IfG Events
Leadership change in the civil service: How can new permanent secretaries deliver for government?
06/11/2025
IfG DevoLab #2: How can mayors and strategic authorities secure investment into regional economies?
22/10/2025
Local government reorganisation and public service delivery: What are the options and challenges?
17/10/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.