Sebastian Whale

Brexit has become a cult like the Moonies, David Cameron is a “smarmy PR man”, Emmanuel Macron is a “weasel” and Theresa May could emerge “better than Boudica” if she backs staying in the EU. That is according to veteran broadcaster Melvyn Bragg.

Since the referendum, Melvyn Bragg has made it his business to familiarise himself with all things Brexit. The broadcaster fears that leaving the EU will be a disaster for the country – but sees a way out for his party and Theresa May. He talks to Sebastian Whale 

The Head of the Armed Forces has said he is “uncomfortable” at the prospect of personally being investigated as part of the probe into killings during the Troubles.

General Sir Nick Carter’s military career has included service in the most high-profile conflicts the UK has engaged in over the past 40 years. Now Chief of the Defence Staff, the Sandhurst graduate wants to ensure Britain is prepared for new 21st Century threats. He talks to Sebastian Whale

Unhelpful perceptions that former servicemen and women are “doolally” could be putting off employers from hiring veterans, a defence minister has said.

Tobias Ellwood’s upbringing instilled a sense of duty to serve his country. Having gone through the transition of life in the Armed Forces to ‘Civvy Street’ 20 years ago, what more does he think the government can do to support veterans? And 100 years on from the end of the First World War, is Britain ready for the threats she now faces? The Defence Minister speaks to Sebastian Whale

Social media has contributed to the steep rise in self-harm among teenage girls, the Health Secretary Matt Hancock has claimed.

Far from being daunted by the challenges posed at the Department of Health, Matt Hancock has taken on the brief with customary energy. Having identified three target areas in the NHS, and with the new cash settlement to play with, what does the Health Secretary have planned? He talks to Sebastian Whale

The chair of the National Infrastructure Commission has cast doubt on Labour’s plans to nationalise various industries.

As chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, Sir John Armitt takes an altogether different approach to his predecessor. The decorated civil engineer believes the profession must do more to communicate what it’s for – but believes the sector can find the solutions to many of today’s challenges. He speaks to Sebastian Whale

Johnny Mercer has said he would not vote Conservative if he was not already an MP for the party.

After leaving the military, Johnny Mercer wanted to find a career where he could once more be part of something greater than himself. He found his answer in the shape of politics and the Conservative party. But, more than three years after entering Westminster, the former soldier is reaching breaking point. Disillusioned by what he believes is a sub-par administration, is his very conservatism under threat? He talks to Sebastian Whale

Gavin Williamson tells a BAE fringe at Conservative party conference that having a "forward-leaning presence is incredibly important"

Brexiteers are trying to infiltrate the Conservative party in a bid to deselect pro-Remain MPs, Nicky Morgan has claimed.

Senior MPs have called on the Bank of England to carry out "full and frank" analysis of the impact of Brexit before the Commons votes on Theresa May's final deal, it has emerged.

Despite the hostilities of the past two years, Nicky Morgan believes it is “definitely possible” for the disparate wings of the Conservative party to unite – so long as MPs follows the Prime Minister’s lead in reaching for a compromise. And as she commissions analysis on the impact of Brexit, the Treasury Select Committee chair wants MPs to go into the meaningful vote with “their eyes wide open”. She talks to Sebastian Whale

Trade union boss Len McCluskey has suggested that "dark forces" could be trying to undermine Jeremy Corbyn's attempts to become Prime Minister. 

Len McCluskey insists he wants a united Labour party to take the fight to the Conservatives – but he will never be afraid to “call out” MPs. The Unite General Secretary talks to Sebastian Whale

The West Midlands Mayoralty is the only political job that would have plucked Andy Street from his role as chief executive of John Lewis. But does the businessman-turned-politician have all the powers at his disposal he needs to achieve the transformation he hopes for the region? And what does he make about the state of the Conservative party? Sebastian Whale travels to Birmingham to find out

The ERG has become synonymous with Conservative euroscepticism. The intrigue surrounding the organisation and its infamous WhatsApp group has led some to brand it a “party within a party”. But are these perceptions unfounded? Sebastian Whale speaks to leading ERG figures, the group’s founder and its Tory opponents to piece together the facts on arguably the most influential group of MPs in contemporary political history

For more than a decade John McDonnell was the standard-bearer for a small group of MPs disaffected with the New Labour project. While Blair, Brown and Mandelson controlled the levers of government, he spent his time on the backbenches, debating left-wing policy programmes and bringing forward alternative budgets. Now, with the Treasury in his sight, a bitter split in the party threatens to derail his plans. Can the Shadow Chancellor keep things together? Sebastian Whale speaks to Labour MPs, old friends and the man himself to find out

Karen Bradley has enjoyed a steady rise to the Cabinet since entering parliament in 2010. Trusted by the Prime Minister to take on the Northern Ireland brief in January, the Tory MP has been exposed to some of the region’s “intractable” challenges. Can she help break the deadlock at Stormont? Sebastian Whale travels to Belfast to see if any progress has been made

John McDonnell has called for the Tory chairman and the party’s chief whip to resign over their involvement in breaching a longstanding parliamentary convention this week.

Britain could be heading for a general election later this year if the House of Commons continues to be deadlocked over Brexit, Sir John Major has predicted.

David Davis has called on Theresa May to “start again” over Brexit, as the former Cabinet minister insisted it would not be “the end of the world” if Britain leaves the EU empty-handed.

Theresa May has been dealt a fresh blow as a new poll reveals that the public feel Boris Johnson is better placed to negotiate Brexit and lead the Tories into the next general election. 

Sir Vince Cable missed a crucial vote on Brexit in the Commons this week because he was holding talks on the creation of a new centrist party, it has been claimed.

A cross-party group of MPs will next week call for fresh powers that would allow them to force witnesses to give evidence before parliament.

The Chequers agreement must be the “final offer” to the European Union, Andrea Leadsom has said, as she warned Brussels they will force a no deal Brexit if they reject the proposals.

As Commons Leader at a time of great upheaval in Westminster, people looked to Andrea Leadsom for answers to Parliament’s harassment and bullying scandal. With a new grievance procedure unveiled, can she win over the sceptics? The Brexiteer talks to Sebastian Whale

A free trade deal with the US has become the totem for Brexit, the prize at the end of a winding and complicated road.

The referendum outcome was the endorsement of many things, depending on who you talk to.

Women often feel “patronised” and “diminished” by medical practitioners, Jackie Doyle-Price has said.

Jackie Doyle-Price fears the health service is failing women, who are too often forced to ‘suffer in silence’. The Minister for Health Inequalities tells Sebastian Whale why it’s vital women are given the tools to talk about their health

Simon Stevens played a pivotal role in securing a £20bn funding boost for the NHS ahead of its 70th birthday. With its finances now on a stable footing, he wants the organisation to seize the moment and build a health service fit for the future. The NHS England chief executive talks to Sebastian Whale

A Government minister has called on Theresa May not to "cower in a corner" as she tries to strike a Brexit deal with Brussels.