For those asking, this is about as effective a legal strategy as a bank robber donning a t-shirt reading “I AM NOT DISHONESTLY APPROPRIATING PROPERTY BELONGING TO ANOTHER WITH THE INTENTION OF PERMANENTLY DEPRIVING THE OTHER OF IT.”

Imagine being a tv reviewer and knowing so little about TV. Imagine.

BBC? Channel 4? ITV? Huge gap for some FTA cricket potential here

This is excellent news for us … to have an England team play at the Uptonsteel County Ground is a honour - please purchase your tickets early and let’s pack the ground - should be a cracker!

Yet another example of how underpowered the Commons really is

James Graham makes a very valid point. A lot more should be done to help working class and poor kids into drama, film and TV. I note that "late passes" for the Edinburgh TV Festival cost £1,349, plus 4% booking fee, plus 20% VAT. £1,683: thetvfestival.com/passes/

This isn't quite accurate - not least because whether the Winter Fuel Payment regulations are debated is effectively in the gift of the Government. Thread by my Hansard Society colleague Matthew England explains the process: x.com/mattengland301…

I came across this awesome version of "Stayin' Alive" played by Bruce Springsteen ten years ago (Brisbane), and I'm in a loop... If you're a brother or if you're a mother, you stay alive, stay alive. May you have a great start to the week and enjoy your life, friends.

📢 Our weekly Parliament Matters Bulletin is back this weekend, providing an in-depth analysis of everything coming up in Parliament next week! Sign up to our mailing list to receive the Bulletin straight to your inbox every Sunday. hansardsociety.org.uk/about/subscribe

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Day 4 at Lord's.... maybe £95 is a bit much for a ticket

Writing phrases like "dynamic future as a nexus for transformational research" should bar you from any leading roles in public life. So should saying that you "care deeply" (see also, "work tirelessly". In fact, emphatic adverbs are always a red flag.)

📣 Do you have a burning question about how Parliament works? Mark D'Arcy & Ruth Fox are recording #ParliamentMatters at 11am tomorrow (5 Sept). Reply with your questions - the answers will be in your pod feed on Friday morning.

Looking forward to discussing the private members’ bills ballot on the Parliament Matters podcast. I’m a big fan so will try not to get too starstruck.

Michael Vidal Mark D'Arcy House of Lords UK House of Commons Thanks Michael - we've just finished recording this week's episode and we answer your question - it will be in your podcast feed tomorrow morning.

As we discuss on today’s Hansard Society podcast, for an issue like assisted dying would be preferable (from supporters’ perspective) to use a top 7 ballot bill. This would guarantee debate & mean more feasible to force vote. Richards was drawn 11th. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/par…

Did some number crunching on yesterday's PMB ballot. By my calculation, entry rate was*: 🔵 Con: 112/121 (93%) 🟠 Lib: 66/72 (92%) 🔴 Lab: 251/411 (61%) 🟡 SNP: 6/9 (67%) Despite this, Conservatives ended up without any bills. Extraordinarily bad luck. *Party at election.

In advance of the parliamentary debates next week on the introduction of a means test for the Winter Fuel Payment, the House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee has published its report on the regulations and does not pull its punches! 1/