Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Upstairs, Downstairs

Episode 2 of 4

Political documentary series. Michael Cockerell examines what goes on backstage at the state opening, when the Queen comes to open the parliamentary year.

In the second episode of this major four-part series, presenter Michael Cockerell explores the upstairs-downstairs world of the House of Commons. We see what goes on backstage at the state opening, when the Queen comes to open the parliamentary year, including a surreal traditional search for gunpowder. Behind the pomp and pageantry, we meet the army of skilled workers who struggle to keep the Commons show on the road. We follow MPs who want to introduce their own bills in the Commons and have to play a bizarre form of parliamentary bingo to get the chance. And we show how Labour and Conservative MPs conspire together to thwart their party whips.

In this episode we meet two very different MPs: Robert Halfon, a campaigning Conservative and thorn in the side of the government, who receives an unexpected call from Downing Street. And Thomas Docherty, Labour's deputy-shadow leader of the house, who goes to extraordinary lengths and makes unlikely alliances to guarantee time in the chamber for his party.

1 hour

Last on

Sat 8 Oct 2016 18:00

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Michael Cockerell
Executive Producer Anthony Geffen
Series Producer Emma Whitlock
Producer Jack MacInnes
Director Jack MacInnes
Participant Robert Halfon
Participant Thomas Docherty
Participant Kate Emms
Participant Lawrence Ward
Participant Robin Fell
Participant Andrew George
Participant John Dowzell
Participant Peter Wosahlo
Participant Jacob Rees-Mogg
Participant Steve Rotheram
Participant Peter Bone
Participant Andrew Percy
Participant Angela Eagle
Participant William Hague
Participant Dennis Skinner
Participant David Blunkett
Participant Nicholas Soames

Broadcasts

OU on the 91热爆: Inside the Commons

Learn more about the topics in this series with OU academics

OU on the 91热爆: Inside the Commons

Learn more about the topics in this series with OU academics

The inside track on British democracy

Visit the 91热爆's Taking Liberties website