Deborah Frances-White quizzes former speaker John Bercow about how British democracy really works.
The instruments of power in the UK are often arcane, confusing and bizarre – but understanding how they operate is key to wielding them effectively – and as citizens, we need to be aware of what those in power can and can’t do. With a governing party which is using those instruments more ruthlessly than any government in recent memory, it’s more important than ever to appreciate how we got here and what we can do about it.
Former Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow is an ideal guide through this dense thicket of tradition, legislation, convention and constitution. But rather than giving a lecture, we will present this guide in the form of a conversation between him and Deborah Frances-White.
Familiar from her hit podcast The Guilty Feminist as well as her award-winning BBC Radio 4 show Rolls the Dice and countless other TV and radio appearances, Deborah has a keen interest in human rights and how governments use and abuse their power. But, raised in Australia, and not having spent a career in parliament she – like most people – doesn’t know in detail how a lot of these aspects of government actually work. By asking the questions likely to be in the mind of the audience, she can engage the listeners as they go with her and John on their journey through the corridors of power.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
All British Comedy Explained… to Abigoliah Schamaun, by Tom Salinsky
Listen now: https://podfollow.com/all-british-comedy-explained/
1.1: Monty Python’s Flying Circus
The seminal comedy show which ran for 45 episodes between 1969 and 1974 on BBC1 (first three series) and BBC2 (final series). It made stars of writer-performers Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin and animator Terry Gilliam. We watched series two, episode two and series three, episode ten.
Here’s a long list of social media systems where you can find the podcast and us.
The podcast
allbritishcomedy@gmail.com
https://allbritishcomedy.com
https://www.youtube.com/@AllBritishComedyExplained
https://www.instagram.com/britishcomedypod
https://www.tiktok.com/@britishcomedypod
https://bsky.app/profile/allbritishcomedy.bsky.social
https://www.threads.com/@britishcomedypod
https://www.facebook.com/groups/allbritishcomedy
Abigoliah Schamaun
https://abigoliah.com
https://www.youtube.com/Abigoliah
https://www.instagram.com/abigoliah
https://www.tiktok.com/@abigoliah
Tom Salinsky
https://tomsalinsky.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/tomsalinsky
https://www.instagram.com/tomsalinsky
https://www.tiktok.com/@tomsalinsky1972
https://bsky.app/profile/tomsalinsky.bsky.social
https://www.threads.com/@tomsalinsky
Join us next time for The Young Ones. We’ll be watching series one, episode two and series two, episode one.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
2 Mar 2022
Bonus episode - Brexit
In the process of making the series, we found one thing came up again and again. BREXIT. In the interest in keeping each episode focussed we realised quickly there wasn’t time to keep all the Brexit related content in but realised that a large behind the scenes chunk of the story was being told. We’ve collected the clips and present them here.
Website: https://absolutepowerpod.com (https://absolutepowerpod.com/)
You can send us an email: mail@absolutepowerpod.com (mailto:mail@absolutepowerpod.com)
We’re on Twitter as: @bercowpowerpod
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
23 Feb 2022
1.10 How to Become an MP
We get to the most important question of all, How does one Become an MP? Is it backstabbing and elbowing? Or is it just stomaching some poorly cooked dinners?
This is the last recording of this series, but next week there will be a bonus outtakes episode touching on one of the most contentious events in modern British history - Brexit.
Website: https://absolutepowerpod.com (https://absolutepowerpod.com/)
You can send us an email: mail@absolutepowerpod.com (mailto:mail@absolutepowerpod.com)
We’re on Twitter as: @bercowpowerpod
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
16 Feb 2022
1.09 The House of Lords
John and Deborah tread through the secret corridors to get to one of the strangest and most misunderstood elements of the British Political system, The House of Lords! What do they do? How are they allowed to still be doing it? Are they worth it, or just born with it?
Website: https://absolutepowerpod.com (https://absolutepowerpod.com/)
You can send us an email: mail@absolutepowerpod.com (mailto:mail@absolutepowerpod.com)
We’re on Twitter as: @bercowpowerpod
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
9 Feb 2022
1.08 Statutory Instruments
Statutory Instruments. What are they and can we trust Priti Patel to weild them on our behalf?
Website: https://absolutepowerpod.com (https://absolutepowerpod.com/)
You can send us an email: mail@absolutepowerpod.com (mailto:mail@absolutepowerpod.com)
We’re on Twitter as: @bercowpowerpod
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
2 Feb 2022
1.07 Backbenchers
John Bercow and Deborah Frances-White go all the way to the back bench to discover how Parliamentary our system really is. What’s the point in staying in the shadows? Why does getting close to the PM’s family not always work out? What do the Backbench hold over the PM?
Website: https://absolutepowerpod.com (https://absolutepowerpod.com)
You can send us an email: mail@absolutepowerpod.com (mailto:mail@absolutepowerpod.com)
We’re on Twitter as: @bercowpowerpod
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
26 Jan 2022
1.06 The Treasury and the Chancellor
Deborah Frances-White and John Bercow try to determine who does the adding up at the Exchequer and whether the power of the Chancellor lies in expertise in economics or skill at making friends.
Website: https://absolutepowerpod.com
You can send us an email: mail@absolutepowerpod.com
We’re on Twitter as: @bercowpowerpod
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
19 Jan 2022
1.5 Private Members Bills
Deborah Frances-White and John Bercow consider the issue of Private Members Bills - what are they, do they ever become laws and what has Chris Chope got against them?
Website: https://absolutepowerpod.com
You can send us an email: mail@absolutepowerpod.com
We’re on Twitter as: @bercowpowerpod
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
17 Jan 2022
Bonus episode - John responds to bullying allegations
Join John Bercow and Deborah Frances-White as John responds to allegations that during his time as Speaker of the House he bullied people he worked with.
Find us at...
Website: https://absolutepowerpod.com
You can send us an email: mail@absolutepowerpod.com
We’re on Twitter as: @bercowpowerpod
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
15 Jan 2022
Bonus episode - Partygate
Join John Bercow and Deborah Frances-White as they consider the Prime Minister's position following the revelations surrounding Partygate
Find us at...
Website: https://absolutepowerpod.com
You can send us an email: mail@absolutepowerpod.com
We’re on Twitter as: @bercowpowerpod
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
12 Jan 2022
1.4 SPADs and Spin Doctors
Deborah Frances-White and John Bercow get in to the thick of it by exploring the misunderstood and often undemocratic role of Special Advisers (SPADs) and Spin Doctors. Do they wield Malcolm Tucker-esque power or are they merely convenient scapegoats? Find out on Absolute Power.
Website: https://absolutepowerpod.com
You can send us an email: mail@absolutepowerpod.com
We’re on Twitter as: @bercowpowerpod
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
10 Jan 2022
Media Storm - a new podcast from The House of the Guilty Feminist
Media Storm is the new podcast from The House of the Guilty Feminist
Where fact-checking meets fun, reporting meets road-trip and the mainstream media meets its match, Media Storm is a news podcast that starts with the people who are normally asked last. "Migrants", "criminals" and "sex workers" are some of the biggest stars in the headlines, yet we rarely actually hear from them. There’s no right of reply – and that’s just bad journalism. Here, from the house of The Guilty Feminist, Media Storm hands the mic to people with lived experience, to shed new light on old stories and roast the headlines that love to roast them.
Presented by Mathilda Mallinson and Helena Wadia
https://podfollow.com/media-storm
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
22 Dec 2021
1.3 The Whips
Deborah Frances-White and John Bercow look at the party enforcers whose role is to ensure that MPs vote the way they are supposed to. How much power do they really have and why on earth are they called "whips"?
Find us at...
Website: https://absolutepowerpod.com
You can send us an email: mail@absolutepowerpod.com
We’re on Twitter as: @bercowpowerpod
We're taking a couple of weeks off over Christmas but Deborah and John will be back with more Absolute Power in the new year.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
15 Dec 2021
1.2 The Prime Minister
Deborah Frances-White and John Bercow turn their attention to the highest office in the land - the Prime Minister. Is this a position that John would want? What is his opinion of those he saw in action? And how do we get rid of a prime minister we don't want?
Find us at...
Website: https://absolutepowerpod.com
You can send us an email: mail@absolutepowerpod.com
We’re on Twitter as: @bercowpowerpod
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
8 Dec 2021
1.1: The Speaker
Join John Bercow and Deborah Frances-White as they unpack the role of The Speaker - a position that John held for over a decade and made famous (or infamous). Find out the fundamental place that beheadings, coffee and coups have in the role of Speaker. Discover how John managed to keep ORDER in the chaos of the British Parliamentary system.
Read the transcript: https://absolutepowerpod.com/2021/12/01/1-1-the-speaker/
Further links:
Dawn Butler MP is removed from the chamber: https://youtu.be/O2aafrWpsKg
Ian Blackford accuses Theresa May of lying: https://youtu.be/jW5cTdvYABo
John Bercow in action: https://youtu.be/Xn5THTi6Zbg
Find us at...
Website: https://absolutepowerpod.com
You can send us an email: mail@absolutepowerpod.com
We’re on Twitter as: @bercowpowerpod
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
24 Nov 2021
Trailer
Coming soon from The House of the Guilty Feminist... John Bercow's Absolute Power
https://absolutepowerpod.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
23 Nov 2021
Teaser
Coming soon from The House of the Guilty Feminist... John Bercow's Absolute Power
https://absolutepowerpod.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
18 ratings
Contact John Bercow's Absolute Power
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
