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<\/p>\nSunday Show Round Up: Sea Changes In Westminster And Saving The NHS<\/b>
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The Sunday morning news was dominated this week by the allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour which have rocked Westminster.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theresa May has promised to take action<\/a> following reports one of her ministers, Mark Garnier, admitted he had asked his secretary to buy sex<\/a> toys for him.<\/p>\n Claims have been made against several other cabinet ministers and senior MPs, prompting calls<\/a> for a \u201csea change\u201d in the inappropriate attitudes which many say have permeated politics for decades.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a clear continuation of the snowball effect created as a result of allegations made against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein – and it\u2019s very likely we will see more information unearthed in the coming months.<\/p>\n The Andrew Marr Show<\/strong><\/p>\n Health secretary Jeremy Hunt was quick to set out Theresa May\u2019s plan to tackle the problematic culture in Westminster – with a Cabinet Office investigation launched into Garnier\u2019s conduct<\/a> and a letter being penned to Commons Speaker John Bercow.<\/p>\n \u201cI mean these stories if they\u2019re true are obviously totally unacceptable and the Cabinet Office will be conducting an investigation as to whether there\u2019s been a breach of the ministerial code in this particular case, as you know the facts are disputed,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is something that covers behaviour by MPs of all parties and that\u2019s why the other thing that\u2019s going to happen is that today Theresa May is going to write to John Bercow the speaker of the House of Commons, to ask him for his advice as to how we change that culture.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI think things have got better in recent years, but there\u2019s still a long way to go.\u201d<\/p>\n .@Jeremy_Hunt<\/a> says allegations of sexual harassment in Westminster is “unacceptable” and there will be an investigation #marr<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/j4BLwXcFB5<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Andrew Marr Show (@MarrShow) October 29, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n When it came to his own brief, Hunt promised the government is \u201csorting out\u201d problems with mental health provision, after a Care Quality Commission report<\/a> revealed many young people are not getting access to the services they need.<\/p>\n He said plans were in place to recruit more mental health services and that \u201cwaiting time standards\u201d had been put in place for the treatment of eating disorders and psychosis.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are sorting it out,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cBut there is no silver bullet.\u00a0 This is not going to happen overnight.\u201d<\/p>\n “We are making progress in the right direction but there is a lot more to do” @Jeremy_Hunt<\/a> on mental health provision #marr<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/qHgJMCEEVs<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Andrew Marr Show (@MarrShow) October 29, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott was also in the chair – and revealed there had been a climate of \u201cmicro sexual aggression\u201d in Parliament since she was first elected in 1987.<\/p>\n \u201cWomen would get up in the chamber to speak and Tory MPs opposite would do a gesture like they were weighing their breasts,\u201d she told the programme.<\/p>\n She said the problems back then were partly to do with MPs working long hours away from home and the eight late-night bars on the Parliamentary estate.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was worse back then, but we still have a long way to go,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n \u201cI do hope that in the aftermath of the Harvey Weinstein allegations that all male<\/a> dominated professions will look at the way women<\/a> are treated and that we will see a sea change in attitudes.\u201d<\/p>\n .@HackneyAbbott<\/a> on the culture of sexual harrasment in Westminster #marr<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/QofzRYxwo6<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Andrew Marr Show (@MarrShow) October 29, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Commenting on reports some prisoners could be given the right to vote, Abbott said Labour supports the recommendations of the European Court of Human Rights, \u201cwhich has been saying for some years we cannot stop all prisoners from having vote\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n Peston on Sunday<\/strong><\/p>\n Shadow attorney general Shami Chakrabarti was first up.\u00a0 She criticised the BBC\u2019s Today Programme for its decision to have \u201cthree white men<\/a>\u201d on a discussion panel in which Michael Gove made a joke about sexual assault<\/a> – for which he later apologised.<\/p>\n Shami Chakrabarti accepts @michaelgove<\/a> has apologised but questions why @BBCr4today<\/a> had an all male<\/a> panel for the discussion #Peston<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/xRqHW5pDRa<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Peston on Sunday (@pestononsunday) October 29, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n \u201cHe had the good grace to apologise and I personally accept that apology,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cBut perhaps the Today programme would also like to apologise.\u201d<\/p>\n On issues within her own party – with Sheffield Hallam MP Jared O\u2019Mara having been suspended<\/a> over misogynistic and homophobic comments made online – Chakrabarti said the Guido Fawkes website should not be a \u201cmoral arbiter\u201d of sexism in Westminster.<\/p>\n Shami Chakrabarti discusses abuse by Labour’s Jared O’Mara but warns against @GuidoFawkes<\/a> becoming Westminster’s moral compass #Peston<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/59muECweZ3<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Peston on Sunday (@pestononsunday) October 29, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Both Chakrabarti and Abbott said they were not aware of O\u2019Mara\u2019s conduct before the allegations came to light several days ago.<\/p>\n But Miriam Gonzalez Durantez – wife of former Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, who was defeated by O\u2019Mara in the snap general election – said her husband knew of allegations made against his rival ahead of the vote.<\/p>\n Miriam Gonzalez Durantez says her husband @nick_clegg<\/a> knew about Jared O’Mara allegations during #GE2017<\/a> so Labour must have #Peston<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/r5ZQIJWobU<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Peston on Sunday (@pestononsunday) October 29, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n The party is carrying out a full internal investigation.<\/p>\n Jeremy Hunt did the double this week, appearing on both BBC and ITV\u2019s morning shows.<\/p>\n Reiterating the government\u2019s plan to recruit more mental health nurses, the health secretary said he recognised that people in positions of power may find it difficult to speak out about their own mental health issues, \u201cbut it is important that they do\u201d.<\/p>\n Health Secretary @Jeremy_Hunt<\/a> accepts it is hard for people in power to speak out about mental health issues #Peston<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/XLoYLuf61K<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Peston on Sunday (@pestononsunday) October 29, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Sunday With Paterson\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Regardless of what\u2019s going on in the world, the UK\u2019s departure from the EU is never far away.\u00a0 Arch Brexiteer Owen Paterson dismissed the prospect of leaving without a trade deal as \u201cdramatic talk\u201d.<\/p>\n No-deal #Brexit<\/a> is “dramatic talk” says @OwenPaterson<\/a>#Paterson<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/Xp8spTgTkv<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Sunday with Paterson (@RidgeOnSunday) October 29, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Health minister Philip Dunne was also sent out to bat along with Jeremy Hunt, reiterating that the government was trying to \u201cput right\u201d problems with mental health services.<\/p>\n Government trying to “put right” mental health services, says Health Minister Philip Dunne #Paterson<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/nqKgcF4t4W<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Sunday with Paterson (@RidgeOnSunday) October 29, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Andrew Gwynne was Labour\u2019s commentator on the main story of the day, describing sexual abuse and harassment in politics as \u201ca plague on all our houses\u201d.<\/p>\n The shadow communities minister said the issue was not the problem of any particular political party and that all politicians had a responsibility to tackle it.<\/p>\n “It is a plague on all our houses” – @GwynneMP<\/a> says harassment and abuse takes place across all political parties, not just Labour #Paterson<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/tWBTzKsPJ7<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Sunday with Paterson (@RidgeOnSunday) October 29, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n BBC Sunday Politics\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Bringing the focus back to Brexit, former shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn said he did not believe there was enough time to negotiate the UK\u2019s exit from the EU properly and therefore for Parliament to have a meaingful vote on any exit deal.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think it is possible to negotiate all the issues that will need to be covered in the time that is available,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n “I don’t think it’s possible to negotiate all of the issues that will need to be covered in the time that is available” @hilarybennmp<\/a>#bbcsp<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/970q1jCcb6<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Daily&SundayPolitics (@daily_politics) October 29, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Ealing MP Rupa Huq also appeared to talk about her desire for \u201cbuffer zones\u201d to be introduced around abortion clinics, first reported by HuffPost UK\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Speaking about demonstrations by anti-abortion protesters outside a clinic in her own constituency, she said: \u201cAt the gates of these things people are being told they are going to hell.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a long and honourable tradition of free speech in this country, but picking on vulnerable women<\/a> outside a clinic is not the way to [express views].<\/p>\n \u201cCome to Parliament instead, where there are 650 legislators.\u201d<\/p>\n Former transport minister Theresa Villiers was also up, to talk about airport expansions.<\/p>\n The Chipping Barnet MP said controversial proposals to create a third runway at Heathrow would be \u201chugely expensive\u201d and damage the economy.<\/p>\n “This is a hugely expensive project & one that will create significant economic damage” Theresa Villiers on third runway at Heathrow #bbcsp<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/TznwcpVh81<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Daily&SundayPolitics (@daily_politics) October 29, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n It was thought the government\u2019s decision to back a\u00a0third runway<\/a>\u00a0at\u00a0London\u2019s Heathrow Airport<\/a>\u00a0in October 2016 would signal the end of a near 50-year debate on the UK\u2019s\u00a0airport capacity<\/a>.<\/p>\n But the argument has rumbled on – with yet another consultation on its impact launched earlier this year.<\/p>\n Commons People<\/strong><\/p>\n Found this useful?\u00a0 Listen to our Commons People podcast for insights and analysis on the weekly goings-on at Westminster.\u00a0\u00a0You can download on Android\/audioboom\u00a0HERE<\/a>\u00a0 and on iPhone\/iTunes\u00a0HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n \nwww.huffingtonpost.co.uk\/entry\/sunday-show-round-up-sea-changes-in-westminster-and-saving-the-nhs_uk_59f59cf6e4b07fdc5fbe979a<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Sunday Show Round Up: Sea Changes In Westminster And Saving The NHS The Sunday morning news was dominated this week by the allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour which have rocked Westminster.\u00a0 Theresa May has promised to take action following reports one of her ministers, Mark Garnier, admitted he had asked his secretary to … Continue reading Sunday Show Round Up: Sea Changes In Westminster And Saving The NHS<\/span> \n\n
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