Sebastian Whale

Aged just 40, Matt Hancock could soon become the youngest prime minister since William Pitt the Younger. But the Health Secretary believes he has the experience and energy to deliver Brexit – and then help his party “embrace modern Britain”. He talks to Sebastian Whale

Matt Hancock has hinted that he would prioritise improving people’s wellbeing over economic growth if he becomes the next Prime Minister.

Andrea Leadsom has vowed to declare a climate emergency and use Britain’s foreign aid budget to cut carbon emissions around the world if she becomes Prime Minister.

After the chastening experience of her first leadership contest, Andrea Leadsom believes she is in a good place to run to be Prime Minister for a second time. With a plan that she insists will see Brexit delivered by 31 October, and a strong message on tackling climate change, the former Leader of the House is trying to get the word out there. She speaks to Sebastian Whale 

Theresa May’s true legacy is that her successor will now be dealt an even worse hand than she was, writes Sebastian Whale

An 18-year veteran of the House of Commons, Pete Wishart is the longest-serving SNP MP. The former musician turned politician is eyeing up a new gig as Speaker of the House of Commons. But can he win over his audience? He talks to Sebastian Whale

Lindsay Hoyle has spent his entire political career fighting marginal seats in tight elections. As thoughts turn to who could replace John Bercow in the Chair, the deputy speaker is keen not to jump the gun. But is the Labour MP mulling a bid for one of the highest-profile jobs in British politics? He talks to Sebastian Whale

Sir Edward Leigh will start as an outsider in the race to succeed John Bercow as Speaker. The unapologetic Thatcherite has enjoyed a varied 36-year career in the Commons. Standing on a platform to take the Speakership back to its traditional roots, does he have a shot at entering the Chair? He talks to Sebastian Whale

A former government chief whip has said he understands why some Conservatives will not vote for the party at the European elections.

As Tory MPs put themselves forward to replace Theresa May, some expected candidates are biding their time. Mark Harper insists such “self-indulgent” speculation about the party leadership should not be the priority with the European elections looming large. But is the former chief whip mulling a crack at the top job? He speaks to Sebastian Whale

People react to conflict in different ways. Some actively seek it out, others actively avoid it. For Michael Bates, politics has become an almost inhospitable environment. To find the common ground, the Conservative peer and former minister has embarked on a walk from Belfast to Brussels. Nearly 200 miles into his journey, Sebastian Whale joins him in west Yorkshire 

The Government should invest billions of pounds on repairing the “damage” done by Brexit once the negotiations move to the next phase, a former government minister has said.

“Dinosaur” MPs are putting parliamentary staff at risk by resisting much-needed restoration and renewal work to the Palace of Westminster, a senior union official has claimed.

Schools Minister Nick Gibb believes politics has become far too negative. He tells Sebastian Whale that he’s determined to cut through the Brexit noise and make the positive case for the government’s education plans

Heidi Allen has hit out at the “top end vetting company” which approved MEP candidates for Change UK who were later found to have posted offensive comments on social media.

Ever since she railed against George Osborne’s welfare cuts, Heidi Allen’s relationship with the Conservatives looked fragile. After months of feeling disillusioned with her adopted party, she helped to form The Independent Group. Now interim leader of the rebranded Change UK, the South Cambridgeshire MP is hopeful for success at the European elections – but says Brexit cannot be everything that her party’s about. She talks to Sebastian Whale

Like his political hero, Nye Bevan, Nick Thomas-Symonds hails from the South Wales Valleys. From excelling at school to a successful career as a barrister, his trajectory has always been upwards. Now shadow solicitor general, does the 38-year-old have higher ambitions? He talks to Sebastian Whale 

Chris Bryant has vowed not to “belittle, diminish or lecture” MPs if he is elected the next Speaker of the Commons, as the battle to replace John Bercow kicks into gear.

Newly independent MP Nick Boles has suggested he will not stand at the next general election, saying he is on his “way out” of frontline politics.

Furious at his party’s intransigence on Brexit, Nick Boles spectacularly resigned the Conservative whip earlier this month. As the dust settles from his decision, the former minister says he feels no regrets, and is prepared for his “swansong” from politics. He talks to Sebastian Whale

Chris Bryant has had quite the year. Notwithstanding taking part in the Brexit debate, the Labour MP has undergone surgery to remove a cancerous growth from his body. Despite the hurdles, the backbencher remains “chipper” as ever. And after being given the all clear, his thoughts are now turning to his parliamentary future. He talks to Sebastian Whale

Chris Heaton-Harris today became the seventh Brexit minister to resign and eighth to leave the Department for Exiting the European Union since its creation in July 2016.

Inflexibility in the Brexit debate is by no means the preserve of the hardline Brexiteers, writes Sebastian Whale.

Past and present members of the Cabinet are the only ones being talked up as likely successors to Theresa May. But the party needs a clean break with the past to unite going forward, writes Sebastian Whale.

Jake Berry believes Brexit offers the Conservative party the opportunity to refocus its efforts towards the Northern Powerhouse initiative. While forecasters warn about the impact a no deal outcome would have on the region, the minister argues the north will once more confound economists. He speaks to Sebastian Whale

A new Royal Yacht Britannia would act as a boon to the UK’s international trade and “unite” the country following the bitter divisions of the Brexit debate, a government minister has said.

To demonstrate his opposition to a no deal Brexit, Alistair Burt felt he had to leave a job he loved wholeheartedly. Well liked across the House, the former minister has acquired few if any detractors during his more than 30 years in politics. Though the latest chapter of his career has come to a close, he feels he still has more to offer. He speaks to Sebastian Whale

Esther McVey has enjoyed a successful and varied career inside and outside of parliament. With Theresa May’s future uncertain, and focus beginning to move towards what happens next, the former cabinet minister says she would run to become prime minister if people support her. But what is her pitch for No 10? Sebastian Whale finds out

MPs are under increasing pressure to come to a collective view on Brexit. As the debate wears on and the impasse remains, the stress is beginning to take its toll on some of our elected politicians. Sebastian Whale reports

A Tory backbencher has lodged a formal complaint with the party after a fellow MP suggested she had been drinking during a heated WhatsApp exchange.

MV3 will be the clear choice between her deal and no deal the Prime Minister always needed the meaningful vote to be, writes Sebastian Whale

Nearly eight years ago, Guy Opperman collapsed suddenly in Central Lobby. Rushed to hospital after being assisted by two colleagues, doctors told him he had a brain tumour. Having survived and raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity, the minister wants to prove that you can always get back on the horse. He talks to Sebastian Whale

Nigel Dodds has warned Theresa May the DUP will never “waver” on the party’s Brexit red lines as she battles to persuade them to back her deal.

As the leader of the DUP at Westminster, Nigel Dodds could hold the key to unlocking the Brexit impasse. If Theresa May can secure the support of his party for her deal, it could be enough to pass this week. With the public at large growing tired of the fractious debate, is he feeling the pressure to act? He talks to Sebastian Whale

Reappointed to the front bench in December, Chris Skidmore was thrown into the deep end. With Brexit just months away, he had his work cut out for him. But the Science Minister, who says no deal would be “very difficult” for the sector, is working hard to ensure the UK is ready for all eventualities – and to take advantage of new opportunities. He talks to Sebastian Whale

Diane Abbott has insisted she would be willing to appear on Question Time again despite the race row which erupted after she was last a panellist on the show.