Podcasts about acting prime minister

In this episode of Talking Politics, we get an exclusive reaction from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer after we found an eye-opening clip from the ITV News politics podcast archive where he said he wanted Donald Trump out of power.Starmer made the comments to Paul Brand in 2020 for the Acting Prime Minister podcast, when he said he couldn't choose between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin - and wanted to “change them both”.Robert Peston put those comments to the PM in a sitdown interview, while questioning Starmer on the UK's response to the markets chaos sparked by Donald Trump's international tariffs.Anushka Asthana meanwhile grills Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall on our audience's huge concerns about the impact of the government's welfare cuts.Then after a brief quiz, Anushka and Paul discuss whether Keir Starmer's hopes of being a disruptor in politics are exactly what a majority of voters don't want.Got a question for the team? Email us at talkingpolitics@itv.comRemember to subscribe to Talking Politics on your favourite podcast platform so you never miss an episode!

Winston Peters has found a strong ally in his bid to disestablish Auckland Transport.   The New Zealand First leader's proposed a bill to give the city's Council full control of the agency.  AT currently operates somewhat independency.   It already has the backing of Mayor Wayne Brown, who says anything putting control of Auckland's transport back in Aucklanders' hands is a good thing.  Peters told Mike Hosking that if common sense prevails, it will go hosing through Parliament.  He said that AT was set up in 2009 and has been a serious failure, with massive complains continuing year after year.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More savings on the horizon as prep begins for Budget 2025.  This year's Budget came into effect just this month, but Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has confirmed the Government has already started work on the next.   Seymour says $3 billion a year is needed just to stand still.   He told Mike Hosking the Government doesn't know what other surprises will come along.  He says, for example, New Zealand's allies want us to spend more on defence, and he personally agrees we should.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour is outlining a new direction for Pharmac.  The Acting Prime Minister and Associate Health Minister told Mike Hosking he'll be outlining new expectations for the Government's drug-funding agency this afternoon.  He's eager to see Pharmac take a more holistic view on how it can save taxpayers' money, with fewer hospital admissions, more people working, and fewer people on benefits.  He says the Treaty of Waitangi shouldn't affect something as technical and tangible as which drugs to buy.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 16th of July, we go to Milwaukee as all eyes are on the Republican National Convention, what Trump will say, and who his VP will be.  David Seymour does his first PM interview slot as Acting Prime Minister.  Kiwi Formula-E driver Nick Cassidy heads into the final weekend of the competition on top of the leaderboard, making time to speak to Mike first.  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters says KiwiRail need to tell the truth about the grounding of the Aratere ferry. New Zealand First took to social media on earlier this week to raise questions about whether the grounding was caused by an auto-pilot mishap after a crew member went to get a coffee.  Now, leaked documents confirm crews pressed a wrong button, sending the ship into auto-pilot and off course.  Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters told Andrew Dickens the public shouldn't have to wait for an investigation to know what happened.  He's questioning why it was on autopilot in the first place, and says taxpayers deserve answers.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The prime minister Christopher Luxon is visiting the United States this week -- joining a NATO summit in Washington DC. The summit is taking place as Russia unleashes one of its largest attacks on Ukraine -- and its president Vlodomyr Zelenskey pleads for more - and better - weapons. The acting prime minister is Winston Peters spoke with Corin Dann.

The Government promises “granny flats” of 60 square metres or less will be easier to build after planning changes that will force councils to permit small dwellings on rural and residential zones without resource consent. Making it easier to build granny flats was part of NZ First's coalition agreement with National. NZ First leader Winston Peters, taking over as Acting Prime Minister while Christopher Luxon is in Japan, used Monday's post-Cabinet press conference to announce consultation on changes that would fulfil that policy promise. “Making it easier to build granny flats will make it more affordable for families to live the way that suits them best,” Peters said. “Over a quarter of households that do not own their home spend more than 40 per cent of their income on housing. High housing costs have a greater impact on Māori, Pasifika, and people with disabilities, as well as seniors - so unlocking the space in the backyards of family members opens the door to new ways of living. “We know granny flats are a great option for seniors, but they're also increasingly popular with other families such as those who want homes where their university-age children can live at home but maintain some privacy and independence, or families who want to provide extra support to a loved one,” he said. Feedback's being sought on the proposed change. Certified Builders Chief Executive Malcolm Fleming told Mike Hosking that it's good that proposed designs are required to meet the building code.   But he says there's no checking to ensure designs and constructions adhere to the building code, which isn't such a good thing.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At 79 a lot of men are spending their pension, getting a funeral plan sorted, wearing the same cords for the third straight day and playing indoor fake lawn bowls whilst waiting for meals on wheels to show up. Not Winnie - he's just knocked out a 24hr stint as Acting Prime Minister. So, how did he do?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It didn't take long for Winston Peters to come out swinging from the big chair, as he took the reins in Chistopher Luxon's absence. In just the second Question Time of the term, the Deputy Prime Minister became Acting Prime Minister, and took on all challengers. But a moment where he said nothing at all has got the Speaker looking at the rules. Here's our political reporter Giles Dexter. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles speaks with Matthew Pantelis who is in Adelaide, about Defence, Optus and cost of living.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AP correspondent Charles de Ledesma reports on WWCup Spain.

AP correspondent Laurence Brooks reports on WWCup-Spain.

The Government should be cringing. Not wincing, not shifting uncomfortably in its chair, not trying to avoid eye contact with us. It should be cringing. Because after all the talk about apologising for the dawn raids on suspected overstayers - which began in Auckland in the 1970s - and all the sorrow and all the tears, they just kept on going. The strongest words the Acting Prime Minister could say this morning was that she was “disappointed” that Immigration New Zealand did nothing to change its ways, and that the raids just kept on happening. She seems to think it was good enough that the Government asked for a review to happen when it eventually discovered that the raids were still going on. Which was well after the apology. And she seems to think that the Government has done everything it could've done and it's all Immigration New Zealand's fault. But, I'm sorry, Acting Prime Minister, that doesn't wash with me. And it will not wash with the people and their families who went through those awful dawn raids which can only be described as state-sanctioned home invasions. Racially motivated, state-sanctioned home invasions because, while about a third of overstayers back in the 70s and 80s were Pacific people, they made up 86 percent of prosecutions. While people from the United States and Britain, who were also about a third of all overstayers, only made up about five percent of prosecutions. So they were racially motivated, state-sanctioned home invasions when they started in the 70s. That's what they were when they continued into the 80s and 90s. And it's what they continued to be under the watch of this government. State-sanctioned home invasions under the government that went through all the pallava of apologising that they happened in the first place - but then just kept on allowing them to happen. Or, as the Acting Prime Minister said on the radio earlier, the government that went through the pallava of apologising for them, but no one at Immigration New Zealand thought that perhaps they might want to actually stop doing them. Either way, the Government should be cringing. Not brushing it off as a disappointment and, “hey we've done a review - aren't we brilliant?”. And it's not just the Acting Prime Minister trotting out the weasel words. Immigration Minister Andrew Little says he is sorry and very regretful that action wasn't taken to change guidelines and update guidance given to Immigration New Zealand. "It is something that I think, with the benefit of hindsight, we'd say should have happened,” he says. What does that mean? With the “benefit” of hindsight? More like the embarrassment” of hindsight, don't you think? The language used in the review, by the way, which came out yesterday is a bit more animated than the Acting Prime Minister and the Immigration Minister. Mike Heron KC says in his report that the Government's apology “created a reasonable expectation within the Pasifika community that dawn intrusions into houses would cease (or at least would be a very last resort)”. But, “there does not appear to have been an attempt to implement the principles of the government's apology or alter out-of-hours visits in light of it”. But here's the sting in the tail. Mike Heron concludes in his report that the Government's dawn raid apology was “hollow”. Not an oversight. Not unattended life admin. Hollow. Which is probably as bad as it gets when you think back to former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and the current Deputy Prime Minister - and others - turning up and trotting out the apology and promising a new dawn. The question now, though, is: What's worse? The dawn raids themselves or the fact they continued after the government's apology? From my perspective, for me personally, continuing the raids after the apology two years ago was worse than the raids themselves. But then, I never went through the ordeal and trauma of having Immigration and Police turning up on the doorstep in the dark. 3 o'clock, 4 o'clock, 5 o'clock in the morning. Storming into the place. Demanding answers. But if you are unlike me - and if you or your family have been targetted by the Government and its immigration department - what's worse, as far as you're concerned? The dawn raids themselves or the fact they continued after the Government's apology? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's still unclear if Chris Hipkins will get a chance to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Acting Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni says told Mike Hosking he would like to, if he can. “Certainly if the logistics will allow then our Prime Minister does want to meet with him. But it's up to the logistics and being able to make that work but there's definitely no issue with our relationship.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A rare series of square-offs between Opposition Leader Chris Luxon and Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni in her capacity as Acting Prime Minister became repetitive.

The Acting Prime Minister says it's still far too early to say whether Labour will introduce a Capital Gains Tax if it wins the next election. Carmel Sepuloni told Mike Hosking she can't discuss a tax policy that doesn't yet exist. “We haven't had the conversations or discussions to explore what that might mean as a political party through our manifesto going into the next election.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Acting Prime Minister says it's still far too early to say whether Labour will introduce a Capital Gains Tax if it wins the next election. Carmel Sepuloni told Mike Hosking she can't discuss a tax policy that doesn't yet exist. “We haven't had the conversations or discussions to explore what that might mean as a political party through our manifesto going into the next election.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government begins its shake-up of the supermarket duopoly, introducing a sector watchdog and a mandatory code of conduct. We'll ask the Acting Prime Minister how long households will have to wait for grocery prices to come down. Jacinda Ardern gets ready to meet the US President at the White House. China falls short on its bid for a big Pacific deal covering trade and security .

Grant Robertson says the Government is doing what it can to help beneficiaries.The Acting Prime Minister and Finance Minister told Tim Dower that's why it's targeted low and middle income people with its April 1 package.He says people are still getting the benefit of that, with increased income support payments.Robertson says the Government also continues to provide Covid support in the area of food security.He says the winter energy payment kicks in on May 1.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grant Robertson says the Government is doing what it can to help beneficiaries.The Acting Prime Minister and Finance Minister told Tim Dower that's why it's targeted low and middle income people with its April 1 package.He says people are still getting the benefit of that, with increased income support payments.Robertson says the Government also continues to provide Covid support in the area of food security.He says the winter energy payment kicks in on May 1.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Acting Prime Minister says Omicron held up an end to MIQ recommended last year. The government's facing criticism for waiting till February to ditch the hotel isolation, even though Dr Caroline McElnay and Dr Ashley Bloomfield told the government from November last year, it was no longer justified. Up to 40,000 people could have skipped MIQ if the Government had followed that advice. Now those who paid for quarantine want to be compensated - and an apology for what they say is the needless stress they suffered. Robertson says the government held back when the new variant spread wildly overseas. He says a delayed end to MIQ bought time to lift vaccination rates.

Grant Robertson says we need to look at the full context to understand the Government's decision about ending MIQ, not just one piece of advice.A memo shows Ashley Bloomfield and Caroline McElnay agreed in November last year MIQ was no longer justified for most returnees.The Acting Prime Minister says that was peer reviewed and a careful transition was advised.He told Tim Dower just over a week later, Cabinet announced MIQ would be dropped in January.Robertson says as everyone knows, Omicron emerged as a much greater threat to New Zealand, and a decision was made to delay the removal of MIQ to February.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister is out of the country on her first overseas trip in two years. Getting out to the world is a vital role for the PM. I've been on numerous trips with John Key and Ardern and they do help put New Zealand on the map. But I've been wondering about something that happens when the Prime Minister is out of the country. The deputy or another senior minister becomes the Acting Prime Minister. I've always just accepted it - but someone asked me why this happens. And I have no answer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The French Ambassador Jean-Pierre Thebault has ratcheted up criticism of the Australian Government's actions ... telling the National Press Club the leaking of text messages is an "unprecedented low" and the deceit was intentional.

Haiti's acting Prime Minister Claude Joseph steps down amid Leadership dispute; Widow of Pres. Jovenel Moise, Martine Moise returns to Haiti; Statues of Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee & Stonewall Jackson taken down in Charlottesville, Virginia thanks to an African American Woman.  TheAHNShow with Michael Imhotep 7-19-21   Support The African History Network through Cash App @ https://cash.app/$TheAHNShow or PayPal @ TheAHNShow@gmail.com or http://www.PayPal.me/TheAHNShow or visit http://www.AfricanHistoryNetwork.com and click on the yellow “Donate” button.   CLASS STARTS Sat. 7-24-21, 3pm EST (LIVE ONLINE COURSE): 'From The Civil War to Civil Rights & Black Power (1865 - 1968)' with Michael Imhotep, host of The African History Network Show. REGISTER HERE:  https://theahn.learnworlds.com/course/from-civil-war-to-civil-rights-and-black-power

Haiti's acting prime minister Claude Joseph talks to the BBC about the assassination of the country's president Jovenel Moïse. He outlines the efforts to apprehend potential suspects and says they are "foreign mercenaries". Also in the programme: As President Biden says the US withdrawal from Afghanistan will be complete by the end of August, we hear what that means for the country; and a former parathlete reflects on what having no spectators at the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics will be like.

Australia has a new National Party leader and Acting Prime Minister after Barnaby Joyce won a leadership spill ballot ousting Michael McCormack in Canberra today

With Scott Morrison overseas, Nationals leader Michael McCormack has been Acting Prime Minister this week. In this podcast, he speaks about the free trade agreement with the UK, climate change, coal, the Nationals, and China. With speculation about whether Morrison will embrace a 2050 net zero target before the Glasgow climate conference, the attitude of the Nationals is critical and McCormack is under pressure from a vocal group in his party that is strongly against the target. McCormack says the National party will not supporting signing up to the target this year. When it is put to him, “we can be sure that the Nats would not embrace that target?” his reply is definite. “Correct”. On coal, unlike many in the government, McCormack believes the controversial proposal for a coal-fired power station at Collinsville in Queensland can be a goer. A feasibility study is being conducted for the project. (It is understood a draft report has been produced already.) McCormack says the study is “very much on its way”. Shire Energy CEO Ashley Dodd “texts me every day of every week and highlights the progress. And last week there were some really, really positive news.” Asked whether he thinks the government will be able to support the project, McCormack says, “provided every box [including environmental ones] is ticked, yes”. “If the proponents come forward with everything that they're required to do, then I can see no reason why it wouldn't be supported. And of course, it's not just the federal government. It's other entities, too, which need to come on board.”  

Acting Prime Minister this week is LGBT+ campaigner Jayne Ozanne.The former government adviser opened up about what it was like to go through years of conversion therapy.From exorcisms to hospitalisation and even thoughts of suicide, Jayne explains why she hasn't stopped campaigning to get it banned.Ms Ozanne also tells podcast host Paul Brand why the government needs to do more to stop spiritual abuse and address the dark side of religion.You can get all episodes of Acting Prime Minister in audio format wherever you get your podcasts!

Acting Prime Minister this week is Labour's Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Rachel Reeves.The frontbencher, who's been leading Labour's charge against Tory lobbying, admits her party would not get a majority if there was an election tomorrow.She explains what Labour needs to do to get in front and why she thinks her party is still behind the Tories.Ms Reeves also tells podcast host Paul Brand how she was inspired to enter politics, her route to the frontbench, her return to the backbench under Jeremy Corbyn and her revival under Keir Starmer.Remember to like, subscribe, and rate us five stars!

Pimlico Plumbers owner Charlie Mullins is this week's Acting Prime Minister.He talks to podcast host Paul Brand about why he wants vaccine passports, who he'd sack from the cabinet and why he wants young people to rediscover apprenticeships.He also speaks about his admiration for Margaret Thatcher and why her leadership helped inspire him to become the owner of London's largest independent plumbing company.Remember to like, subscribe, and rate us five stars.

Labour's Nick Thomas-Symonds is this week's Acting Prime Minister.He talks to podcast host Paul Brand about how early conversations with his grandma first inspired him to get into politics.He also speaks about his desire to emulate the ambitions of his political heroes Aneurin Bevan, Clement Attlee and Michael Foot.Labour'r rising star also talks about aiming to become the next home secretary.Remember to like, subscribe, and rate us five stars.

Former home secretary Amber Rudd is Acting Prime Minister in this week's podcast episode.She tells host Paul Brand why she thinks the government should not proceed with instating a 'free speech champion'.Why she's sad about the way the Tory Party has changed since she left, and why she'd fire all the men in government and have an all female Cabinet.Remember to like, subscribe and rate us five stars.

Jill Nalder, the real-life inspiration for character Jill on hit TV show It's A Sin, has opened up to the Acting Prime Minister podcast about what it was really like losing up to 10 friends to AIDS friends to in the 1980s. Ms Nalder was also asked how she thinks Prime Minister Boris Johnson would have handled the Aids epidemic compared to former Tory PM Margaret Thatcher.Remember to like, subscribe, and rate us five stars!

Acting Prime Minister this is Bim Afolami, Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Work and Pensions Secretary.In a wide ranging interview, podcast host Paul Brand and Bim discuss the Black Lives Matter movement, the coronavirus pandemic, how to improve Universal Credit and how Donald Trump 'trashed' democracy.Remember to like, subscribe and rate us five stars!

The Acting Prime Minister of Australia Michael McCormack is facing criticism over a string of statements, including labelling the Black Lives Matter protests as "race riots" and comparing them with the storming of the United States Capitol - Penjabat Perdana Menteri Australia Michael McCormack menghadapi kritik atas serangkaian pernyataan, termasuk ungkapan protes Black Lives Matter sebagai "kerusuhan ras" dan membandingkannya dengan penyerbuan Capitol Amerika Serikat

Former minister Tracey Crouch opens up to the Acting Prime Minister podcast about what it's been like having cancer treatment during the coronavirus pandemic.She also chats to podcast host Paul Brand about why elite sports should be allowed during lockdown, why she's coming off Twitter and much more.You can listen to, and watch, new episodes of the Acting Prime Minister podcast each week - find us on all podcast platforms.Remember to like, subscribe and rate us five stars.

Facts are not necessarily facts for the Acting Prime Minister, Michael McCormack. He's copping new criticism as he again refuses to condemn MPs spouting conspiracy theories; while in the US, authorities brace for more violence in the dying days of the Trump presidency. Twitter may have cut him loose but has the damage already been done?

Facts are not necessarily facts for the Acting Prime Minister, Michael McCormack. He's copping new criticism as he again refuses to condemn MPs spouting conspiracy theories; while in the US, authorities brace for more violence in the dying days of the Trump presidency. Twitter may have cut him loose but has the damage already been done?

Acting Prime Minister of Australia Michael McCormack is refusing to back down on comparisons he made between the United States Capitol riots and the Black Lives Matter protests.

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Labour's shadow foreign secretary is the latest guest on Acting Prime Minister.The former leadership contender talks to us about Jeremy Corbyn, Keir Starmer, Brexit and what went wrong at the 2019 general election.You can listen to episodes on the podcast on all good platforms.Remember to like, subscribe, and rate us five stars!

Actor Laurence Fox is launching his own political movement - the Reclaim Party - so what would he do if he was actually in power?He tells the ITV News podcast Acting Prime Minister why he's launched the party and what he wants to achieve.The actor-turned-politician, who has sparked controversy with some of his comments, talks to ITV News Political Correspondent Paul Brand through his journey from school, to starring in TV drama series Lewis, to his infamous Question Time appearance and becoming a free-speech advocate.He's asked whether he'd congratulate Joe Biden on winning the US election, what he'd do to save the UK economy from coronavirus - and whether he'd be prepared to press the nuclear button.

Matt speaks to actors Jason Watkins, Mark Dexter and Jan Ravens about what it's like to play the role of Prime Minister. Plus, Rachel Cunliffe and Robert Crampton stop by to discuss the days big news. To subscribe to The Times visit thetimes.co.uk/timesredbox See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey is the latest guest on Acting Prime Minister.The MP speaks to us about his life as a carer, first for his mum, then his grandmother, then his young son.He also talks about his task as Lib Dem leader, to win seats in the next general election and to restore the party's reputation.Remember to like, subscribe and rate us five stars!

This week's Acting Prime Minister guest is Caroline Nokes.The former minister tells the podcast she believes Boris Johnson may live to regret his decision to ignore scientific advice on a circuit breaker lockdown.She also explains what made her a Tory and what it was like to learn on Twitter how the prime minister had sacked her from government.Remember to like, subscribe and rate us five stars!

This week's guest on Acting Prime Minister is Steve Baker.The Brexit-supporting Tory MP speaks to Paul Brand about coronavirus, Boris Johnson and much more.Remember to like, subscribe and rate us five stars!

This week's guest is the Labour's shadow chancellor, Anneliese Dodds.She spoke to Paul about the economy, Labour's new leadership and dealing with the coronavirus crisis while being a mother to two children.All episodes of Acting Prime Minister are also available to audio-only on any podcast platform.Remember to like, subscribe and rate us five stars!

This week's guest is the First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford.He spoke to Paul about dealing with the coronavirus crisis, how its raised his profile and how it's given some in Westminster a crash course in devolution.He also reveals how 'frustrating' it's been dealing with Boris Johnson's government during the pandemic.All episodes of Acting Prime Minister are also available to audio-only on any podcast platform.Remember to like, subscribe and rate us five stars!

This week's guest on Acting Prime Minister is former shadow home secretary Diane Abbott.The representative for Hackney North, who was the first black woman to be elected an MP, opens up to podcast presenter Paul Brand about how it feels to be on the receiving end of harsh social media abuse.Remember to like, subscribe, and rate us five stars.

An MP self-isolating over coronavirus has revealed to the Acting Prime Minister podcast what it's like to be in quarantine with Covid-19 symptoms.William Wragg, one of several MPs self-isolating over fears of spreading the deadly virus, told podcast host Paul Brand the worst symptom he's experiencing is "night sweats".Listen to the full episode to find out what it's like to be in self-isolation, and of course, we ask him all the usual Acting Prime Minister questions.

A British champion boxer - who was stabbed as a teenager - has revealed to ITV News podcast Acting Prime Minister how he thinks the government could tackle knife crime.Richard Riakporhe, who says he'd been mixing with the "wrong" people when he was...

The latest guest to take power in the new series of the ITV News podcast Acting Prime Minister is Rosie Duffield. The Labour MP told Paul Brand she has been overwhelmed with "heartbreaking" emails after an emotional speech she gave during a Domestic Abu...

The latest guest to take power in the new series of the ITV News podcast Acting Prime Minister is former Green Party leader and co-leader Caroline Lucas.The MP for Brighton Pavilion had some strong words to say, including on Brexit as she criticised the...

The latest guest to take power in the new series of the ITV News podcast Acting Prime Minister is Emma Lewell-Buck.The Labour MP for South Shields was unafraid of speaking out in the conversation with ITV News Political Correspondent Paul Brand -...

The latest guest to take power in the new series of the ITV News podcast Acting Prime Minister is Chuka Umunna.The pro-Remainer has had a whirlwind year after leaving Labour as a leading part of the independent breakaway before ditching Change UK for...

The first guest to take power in the new series of the ITV News podcast Acting Prime Minister is ERG deputy chair Mark Francois.Speaking to ITV News Correspondent Paul Brand, the backbench rebel opened up about losing his father at 14, his unlikely...

Anna Soubry has revealed how Chuka Umunna refused demands to be leader of Change UK before leaving her pained by quitting the fledgling party without a phonecall.Speaking to ITV News Correspondent Paul Brand for his Acting Prime Minister podcast, she de...

Deputy Prime Minister Sar Kheng, Minister of Interior and Acting Prime Minister announced on October 18, 2018 that the Ministry of Interior and the National Assembly have decided to set up a special task force team to solve the problems related to Chinese people in the coastal province, Sihanoukville. - លោក​ឧបនាយករដ្ឋមន្ត្រី ស ខេង រដ្ឋមន្ត្រី​ក្រសួងមហាផ្ទៃ និងជានាយករដ្ឋមន្ត្រីស្តីទី បានប្រកាស កាលពី​ព្រឹក​ថ្ងៃទី​១៨ ខែតុលា ឆ្នាំ​២០១៨ ថា ក្រសួងមហាផ្ទៃ និង​រដ្ឋសភា បានសម្រេច​បង្កើត​ក្រុមការងារ​ពិសេស​មួយ ដើម្បី​ដោះស្រាយ​បញ្ហា​នានា នៅ​ខេត្ត​ព្រះសីហនុ​ បង្កឡើង​ភាគច្រើន ដោយ​ជនជាតិ​ចិន​។​

I suppose with Leighton on holiday you could say we’ve all had a break from being told that resilience is something modern New Zealand lacks. So maybe it should fall to me to hand out some resilience calls. A little bit of 'harden up snowflake and stop moaning' stuff.Firstly, the Shortland Street Down’s Syndrome plotline stoush where supporters of Down Syndrome children are upset, particularly with the distressed mother character who in a moment of fear and emotion wails about the possibility of having a munted child. Now it’s confronting, for sure, but it’s the reality. It is absolutely part of the process and the thinking that happens when you first learn your child has an issue to deal with.To depict the situation as a happy uplifting experience and to block any discussion of the possibility of abortion would do a worse disservice to people trying to understand what parents go through. Ask any parent who discovers an in utero defect in their child and dealing with the initial anger is part of the process. I know one couple where the mother railed about her deformed child to be but found the will to carry on. That child is now in their twenties and is well loved and wanted.This is an ongoing plotline and we’ll wait to see where the parents go with the process. By the way, soap operas are not just television. They are life writ large which is why they’re so popular and why the best plotlines are mired in real life and real emotion.On the furore of Winston Peters saying “Kick Fatty Out” about Gerry Brownlee in the house yesterday. Well, it deserves a tut-tut for the Acting Prime Minister to use such language in the house but to get all up in arms about sizest language is a little rich. Winston and Gerry are grown up people who are more than capable of sorting things out amongst themselves if Gerry took any offence. It’s not on to call a fatty, fatty if you don’t know them. And it’s none of your business if someone calls someone they know well Fatty.And one other point on resilience. Yesterday we were talking about the woes of the construction industry and there was considerable moaning about the growing Health and Safety industry and imposts. I asked the question whether it’s any worse or better in other countries as they mostly appear to have better safety records than New Zealand. Well, I had a number of replies overnight saying the same thing. It’s more stringent overseas. One writer said that we’re 5 years behind Australia and I quote “Almost every site you walk on in Auckland would almost certainly be shut down if we were in Aussie.”We have a very vocal sector of society who moan. Harden up. Deal with the Health and Safety issue, reject mad claims, but stop moaning, because it’s not going to kill you. Unlike the accidents that killed 40 people at work last year

Winston Peters’ brief time as Prime Minister is nearly over, but he’s waded in to what might be his most controversial topic yet.Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull raised eyebrows after revealing on social media that he eats pies with a knife and fork, as opposed to simply picking it up with his hands.It’s time we admitted there’s nothing wrong with using a knife and fork to eat a pie. Discuss. pic.twitter.com/O28x3lStXJ— BenFordham (@BenFordham) July 26, 2018One Twitter user suggest Winston Peters should be sought for comment on it - and the Acting Prime Minister threw his two cents into the arena.In support of @TurnbullMalcolm, I don't give a rat's derriere what people think I'll eat a pie with a knife and fork. Some pies are very flaky, and sometimes you want to put sauce on.— Winston Peters (@winstonpeters) July 31, 2018Is this un-Prime Ministerial? Andrew Dickens and Political Editor turned Food Critic Barry Soper debate above.

Another day and another survey commissioned by a player with skin in the game. Today it’s cannabis law reformYesterday we had a survey on hardship commissioned by the Salvation Army.  Because of the method of the survey, it was an opt in on a website offering financial rewards, it was easy to doubt it and I think it actually rebounded of the Sallies. Too many people said that the survey was exaggerating the hardship, which meant that those people also ended out minimising the extent of hardship in New Zealand and on reflection, I was not proud to be one of those.So today, the headline reads “Support for legalising cannabis getting higher - NZ Drug Foundation”Well, it was never going to read that support was decreasing was it? Given the interests of the commissioner of the survey. Too much skin in the game for anyone to believe that the survey was objective.   The results were released in a press release from the NZ Drug Foundation.  Now if they wanted more currency I would have given the results to other parties to see their analysis.  But that’s not the way the game worksSo the the survey  found 35 percent of people want cannabis to be legalised and 32 percent are in favour of decriminalisation.  The combined number of 67 percent in favour of legalisation or decriminalisation is two percent higher than the 2017 result of 65 percent.Now remember that headline.  Support for legalising cannabis getting higher.  Strictly speaking two per cent is higher.  But it’s also less than the margin of error which was 3.2%So while it is true that two thirds of those surveyed would like to see a change in our cannabis laws, I wouldn’t go round trumpeting that support is growing.So what do I make of it? I think everyone’s pretty well made up their mind. We’ve batted this around for long enough the whole thing is a Groundhog Day debate.  I haven’t heard a new angle on the debate in years.  So what should we do?As he continues to show the Acting Prime Minister is pretty good at the job.  This morning he said let’s just have a referendum.  Don’t let the politicians decide for you he said this morning. And I agree. The talking is over, we’re going around in circles.  Let’s do some voting.Winston Peters wasn’t the only one talking some sense this morning on the radio.  There was the uni tax professor when asked what to do about dairy robberies because ciggies have got so expensive he said make supermarkets sell them.  When told that the dairies may then go broke he said dairy owners just have to make themselves as secure as supermarkets. He also mentioned selling cigarettes in pharmacies. It seemed so easy and logical.What do I think? No more tax.  We’ve hit peak ciggy tax.  Stick them in supermarkets and pharmacies alongside cessation practices and maybe vapes.  Honestly, that will put even more off than a tax hike.  And I know.  5 weeks ago I told you I’m a smoker and I was going to stop using willpower and vaping because the whole thing was too expensive and I was getting too old for the game.  I’m now 5 weeks clean and not tempted by the foul things at all.Trust me because on this issue, unlike the drug foundation and the Salvation Army, I no longer have skin in the game

The spotlight has been tightening lately around the issue of government reform of bail laws.This always going to be a tricky maneuver and I can’t help but get the feeling that there will be some change if for no other reason than a newly elected government and Justice Minister wants to demonstrate how they are doing something about a system which, they argue, is broken.I know this is pretty cynical take to put on it but let's face it, in this respect, as a policeman might say – “they’ve got form”The problem with reforming bail laws and being too prescriptive is that judges are the ones who are dealing with the people in front of them.Now, it has been a while since I practised law but I remember there being many factors in deciding whether or not an individual was granted bail.This included the questions of whether the crime they have been charged with was likely to result in what is euphemistically referred to as a “custodial sentence” in which case time spent on remand was usually deducted from the sentence. Other reasons were: the likelihood of them absconding; previous failures to turn up to a court appearance; the seriousness of the offence; whether violence was a factor, the protection of witnesses; the criminal record of the accused. In the end, the decision, and the jurisdiction rests with the judge.As soon as politicians start meddling with this process one gets the feeling that they are looking at tying hands and forcing judges to grant bail to offenders against their better judgment.Let’s not forget, the judge has each individual accused, and all available and relevant information about that person, often including the basis of the prosecution case against them.I’m not sure that we should really be taking too many steps to tie the hands of the judiciary, with the result being they can’t deal with the offender in front of them.Often we hear talk about the system. The system, the system, the system. But as we know criminal justice deals with individuals and their particular circumstances. So I just worry that some recommendation, no matter how mild, may be seized upon by politicians to make some sort of grand statement to show how serious they are about reforming the bail laws.In the end, the public cares mainly about needing to be kept safe.Acting Prime Minister, Winston Peters, has made reference to saving money. If that is the sole factor, I am not sure the public is going to be on board. Similarly, if it just a gesture or a case of virtue signalling “look we are doing something, we are reformers”, then I don’t really think it will impress if it results in more victims.Having said all this, the question is - who do you trust to be making the decisions about who should or should not be granted bail?Do you trust the judges or do you trust the politicians?Because as much as a part of me hates to acknowledge it, judges are the ones who are at the coalface every day. Sure, they make mistakes, sometimes with serious consequences. But let’s not make the mistake of tying their hands too much. Especially when it results in forcing them to be more lenient than society may require.I’m aware that my comments on this may be slightly at odds with my support of the three strikes legislation, but at least they did put a manifestly unjust exception in there to maintain wriggle room.All said and done, I am not arguing against any sort of reform, but perhaps the focus needs to be on pouring more resources into the remand side of things, including mental health, and drug rehabilitation and other productive aspects of being in remand.Because as many suggest, it is the worst place to be in the justice system. And make no mistake, it that will require a significant investment of taxpayer money. But for this taxpayer, I’m ok with that.

Acting Prime Minister, Dr. Horace Chang,updates Cliff Hughes on government's emergency response to the current weather system affecting the island and the impact on infrastructure