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Politics UK Archive

A weekly look inside British politics from the BBC

*** This programme is no longer on-air, but please listen to our archive of available episodes ***

Issues affecting British social and political life.

*** This programme is no longer on-air, but please listen to our archive of available episodes ***

Politics UK is the weekly programme that covers British political and policy issues, economic and cultural change and Britain’s standing in Europe and the rest of the world in a way that is relevant to an international audience.  
It's the flagship programme for UK political analysis and debate on the BBC World Service.  
Leading politicians, commentators and intellectuals take part each week to discuss and reflect on the main events shaping British politics.

Politics UK

Politics UK Archive: 02/04/2010 | Cutting the debt | Life after Westminster

Factual: Politics

02/04/2010 | Cutting the debt | Life after Westminster

BBC World Service - Politics UK Archive, 02/04/2010 | Cutting the debt | Life after Westminster

How to cut Britain's debt, and is there Life After Westminster for MPs leaving parliament?

How do the three main contenders to be Britain's Chancellor plan to reduce the country's enormous mountain of debt? And is there 'Life After Westminster' for MPs who are leaving parliament for good?

Britain's election campaign appears to be underway with the three main contenders to be Chancellor setting out their plans to reduce the enormous mountain of debt. But as the polls narrow, it's clear the public aren't sure what the politicians are going to cut. And as MPs prepare for the campaign, some are leaving Parliament for good - Politics UK talks to three departing MPs about life after Westminster.
Presented by Norman Smith.

Britain needs to find some way of reducing its £167bn annual deficit but with the election fast approaching, none of the parties has yet spelt out in detail how spending will be reduced. William Keegan of the Observer and Allister Heath of the business newspaper, City A.M., discuss how serious the cuts are going to have to be.

Almost one-third of current MPs have decided not to stand for re-election this year and for many, leaving parliament will be a huge wrench. Labour's Tony Wright, the Liberal Democrats' Matthew Taylor, and Conservative Paul Goodman are among those who will be standing down. They look back over their careers and reveal what leaving the Commons will mean for them.

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02/04/2010 | Cutting the debt | Life after Westminster

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