From politics to comedy to campaigning against anti-social behaviour, broadcaster Ayesha Hazarika is the latest guest on Lord Speaker’s Corner.

Baroness Hazarika grew up in Coatbridge, Scotland and is the first person of Indian Assamese heritage to join the House of Lords. She rose to become a senior adviser to Labour figures including Harriet Harman and Ed Miliband, playing a crucial role preparing them for PMQs:

‘I think Prime Minister's Questions gets a very bad rap, because it does often become quite Punch and Judy, but I think it's a really important function of our democracy. There are not many democracies around the world where the principal politician in the land is called to the same spot week in, week out, and faces questions on any topic from any Member of Parliament across the country.’

In this episode, Baroness Hazarika talks about her unlikely career path from politics to stand-up comedy and broadcasting, and back to politics. She also explains to Lord McFall how she will use her new political platform to campaign against anti-social behaviour and crime:

‘I don't like calling this low-level crime, because I don't think it's low-level crime. But I think this stuff is not easy, but the more we talk about it and the more we press government ministers, that puts the pressure on them to keep on keeping this a priority.’

Finally, Baroness Hazarika tells Lord McFall about receiving the phone call to offer her a place in the Lords, explaining ‘I really couldn't believe it, because if you're somebody like me from my background and you've loved politics your whole life, it's a real honour to be asked to join the House of Lords for the party that you have served and the party you love.’

She shares that this wasn’t the first thought that went through her head though, saying ‘The person said, “I'm calling on behalf of Keir Starmer. This is really serious. Are you by yourself? I think you better sit down.” And the first thing I thought was, "Oh my goodness, what have I been saying on my social media? Am I about to get cancelled, or am I about to get suspended from the Labour Party? Have I said something terrible?’

See more from the series https://www.parliament.uk/business/lords/house-of-lords-podcast/

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From the Foreign Office to National Security Adviser to Cabinet Secretary, Mark Sedwill – Lord Sedwill – is the latest guest on Lord Speaker’s Corner.

‘It comes down in the end to the quality of the individual and then they'll get the best out of the best civil servants.’

In this episode, Lord Sedwill shares his perspectives on the relationship between ministers and officials, reforming the Civil Service and what his advice would be for the new Cabinet Secretary.

‘There was a period which is now coming towards an end, a decade when the UK became quite introspective’

A former diplomat, including Nato representative and UK Ambassador to Afghanistan, Lord Sedwill also shares his perspectives on the UK’s changing role internationally, plus its need to actively engage the BRIC countries.

‘Diplomacy is not about talking to your friends. Diplomacy is about talking to your adversaries and seeing if you can find a way of dealing with the situation if possible without conflict.’

Lord Sedwill also speaks about working in some of most intense regions for the Foreign Office including Egypt and Iraq, where once he was held at gunpoint by a young man as he was trying to gain access to one of Saddam Hussein’s palaces as a UN Weapons Inspector.

‘This youngster, he was probably only 16 or 17. He wasn't scared of us, he was scared of getting it wrong and what would happen to him or his family. And I remember having to calm the situation down… I intervened and just used my Arabic and tried to calm the situation down. And that's probably the closest I ever came to being shot directly by someone where there was absolutely no protection.’

See more from the series at https://www.parliament.uk/business/lords/house-of-lords-podcast/

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From education to government, Northern Ireland to Hong Kong, organising a Papal visit to leading a university, Chris Patten speaks about his life and work.

‘You engage them, first of all, without the sort of mushy feeling that you can't do business with them unless you accept their political narrative… we should talk to the Chinese, but we should do so in a pretty clear-sighted way.’

In a wide-ranging discussion, outgoing Chancellor of the University of Oxford and former Governor of Hong Kong Lord Patten of Barnes speaks to the Lord Speaker about China’s approach to the former British dependent territory. He also discusses his time dealing with China while a European Commissioner and his view on engagement with Beijing today. He reflects on his experience in government and in particular in Northern Ireland, sharing his perspective on the importance of ‘recognising that identity politics can't be allowed to destroy the ordinary civility of life.’

Following the end of his Chancellorship of the University of Oxford, he also shares what he has learnt during his time there, including the importance of a range of educational opportunities. He explains ‘a university which is doing apprenticeship courses alongside degrees… a higher education establishment that is helping people to become plumbers or electricians, is just as important as universities. They are all part of making us more successful and a more congenial society.’

Finally, Lord Patten shares the importance of giving people the chance to make a difference, saying ‘whether we're Labour or Conservative, ultimately we want the government to work.’

Hear more from the series https://www.parliament.uk/business/lords/house-of-lords-podcast/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.