A 30-minute news programme, hosted by Richard Whiteley and Geoff Druett. The first segment covers the Labour Party re-selection process, and what oppositions are to be expected for the party. MPs Tom Torney and Richard Caborn feature in a round-table interview with Whiteley here to share their views of the policy. Segment two sees a report on the growing numbers of opposing votes in parliament by Tory back-benchers. Geoff Druett reports over film footage of parliament and the House of...

A 30-minute news programme, hosted by Richard Whiteley and Geoff Druett. The first segment covers the Labour Party re-selection process, and what oppositions are to be expected for the party. MPs Tom Torney and Richard Caborn feature in a round-table interview with Whiteley here to share their views of the policy. Segment two sees a report on the growing numbers of opposing votes in parliament by Tory back-benchers. Geoff Druett reports over film footage of parliament and the House of Commons, and multiple MPs such as Donald Thompson are interviewed throughout to share different perspectives on the oppositions and challenges that Whips now face in parliament. Segment three sees the Calendar Commentary Private Bill, a re-occurring segment in which an MP features to propose a potential bill to the public. Elizabeth Peacock MP shares her bill to protect House-hunters from misinformation in advertisement from estate agents and companies. Finally, Jim Naughtie from the Guardian speaks with Whiteley about the highlights of the political week. Section one sees discussions on the Labour Party re-selection process. All sitting MPs must be re-selected by their local parties in between general elections. Outcome of Miner’s strike was expected to harden the left and members are expected to be challenged. MP Tom Torney and MP Richard Caborn feature in this segment to talk about the re-election process. Torney doesn’t believe there is the same support for him as there was, and believes that if he had fought re-selection, it would have eventually damaged the party. Wants to see a Labour government whether he is involved or not. Does not approve of re-selection and believes that it is bad for the Labour party and could lose them electoral support. Richard Caborn shares his approval for the system. Caborn got his parliamentary place through re-election, and is not worried about the process. Believes if you are diligent, you will gain that support, and that vast majority have not gone through re-election. Section two shows a featurette regarding growing back-bench revokes; some Tory MPs have begun abstaining or voting against government measures, making the jobs of Tory Whips difficult, and at times embarrassing. Do these revokes indicate that government stances are losing the support of MPs, or that they are exercising independence whilst they are safe in a big majority? Footage of House of Commons with W.S. Gilbert song “When all night long a chap remains”. Footage of Parliament and London with Druett reporting in a voiceover. Little has changed for most since this song, assumptions about Tories having no independence are still the same. String of ‘rebellions’ have begun, as voting instructions have been ignored on a diverse range of issues, such as Stansted airport, Greater London council, rate capping and student grants. Donald Thompson MP shares how pressure from back-benchers have changed opinions and reflected on the whips; he believes this is a genuine concern for the party. Back-benchers accept whips as a ‘necessary evil’ due to pressure of government business, but are these back-bench messages being received? Multiple MPs feature in this segment to share their opinions on back-bench rebellions. The Calendar Commentary Private Bill section sees Elizabeth Peacock MP propose the ‘Househunters Protection Bill’, a law to stop ‘misleading claims’ from estate agents. Estate agents are not required by law to make the lives of house-buyers easier, and advertisements can often be inaccurate or completely wrong, but there is nothing that has to be done. The law requires other businesses to tell the truth in what they sell, so it makes sense for housing sector to have to do the same. Peacock believes that unreliable information causes much more stress, further expense and loss of time for buyers. Proposes the bill to extend the principles of Trade Descriptions Act to the housing sector. Estate agent Peter Hanley responds to this bill; doesn’t believe advertisements misrepresent properties, but rather the problem lies in the perspective that is taken by the buyer. Agents’ job is to put the house in the best light and find the person with the right perspective to the property. Jim Naughtie from The Guardian features at Westminster for the weekly political report. In the week, the 20 year anniversary for David Steel MP in parliament, and his time in government, is discussed, as well as Nigel Lawson and his position and reception in parliament. Presented by RICHARD WHITELEY ,GEOFF DRUETT With RICHARD CABORN MP, ELIZABETH PEACOCK MP, TOM TORNEY MP, PETER HANLEY, JIM NAUGHTIE Film Camera PETER JACKSON Film Sound ROGER DAVIES, ALAN BEDWARD Film Editor JOHN LEEDS Film Director RON ABERCROMBIE Editorial Assistant ALI RASHID Director NICK SALMON Executive Producer GRAHAM IRONSIDE YORKSHIRE TELEVSISON LIMITED 1985 YORKSHIRE TELEVISION Production