As the 335 new MPs elected at the last election continue to deliver their first speeches to Parliament, Ed Vaizey asks what is the secret to standing out from the crowd. He takes a look at some of the best (and worst) from the past, including Boris Johnson, Theresa May.... and Ed Vaizey.  Plus: Columnists India Knight and James Marriott discuss whether shutting libraries is cultural vandalism, if life’s greatest moments can be purchased, and we find out how James is getting on without a smartphone six months on. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Ed Vaizey interrogates the past, present and future of espionage, from moments that could have come from fiction to the reality of spying in the modern world. He speaks to former GCHQ director Sir David Omand and Lord Robin Renwick, former UK ambassador to the United States and author of 'The Intelligent Spy's Handbook'. Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Timandra Harkness discuss how to make companies take responsibility for Grenfell, [https://www.thetimes.com/uk/society/article/the-cladding-boss-who-says-hes-innocent-and-others-criticised-by-grenfell-report-dj6kbbbbh] Tony Blair's call for closer links to Europe [https://shows.acast.com/storiesofourtimes/episodes/william-hague-talks-to-tony-blair-legacy-war-and-prospects-f], and kicking hereditary peers out of Parliament. [https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/house-of-lords-reform-to-remove-hereditary-peers-in-18-months-2vg20k8h7] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

PMQs is back from summer recess, with Rishi Sunak quizzing Keir Starmer - although the prime minister is still having a hard time getting used to his new job title. Ed Vaizey unpacks the action from the Commons chamber with the help of Tim Shipman and Lara Spirit. Plus: Columnists Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss whether public inquiries are too expensive, whether Robert Jenrick is right to talk about segregation, and what does (and doesn't) make them proud to be British. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Keir Starmer says it's all about growth, growth, growth - but why do some economists and politicians say we're looking at it the wrong way? Ed Vaizey finds out about the radical theory of 'degrowth', and asks whether happiness is a better measure of success than GDP. Plus: Columnists Melanie Reid and Robert Colvile discuss Britain's faltering national pride [https://www.thetimes.com/uk/society/article/national-pride-falls-as-britain-redefines-itself-3sdtq979t], the crucial role of public libraries, and why the Tories are seen as a bit weird [https://www.thetimes.com/comment/columnists/article/the-next-tory-leaders-task-is-to-stop-the-party-looking-so-weird-pkn7ln6m8]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

MPs are back in Westminster after the summer recess, and the government has big plans for the new term - but where will it be plain sailing, and where could it all go horribly wrong? Ed Vaizey guides us through the promises and the pitfalls. Plus: Columnists Rachel Sylvester and Libby Purves discuss the scrapping of Ofsted's one-word judgements, the latest Tory leadership bid launches, and whether politicians can - or should - dance in public. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.