The Record Review: 13 July 2012

It has been another tough week for the government, and an even tougher one for government whips.

Lord McAvoy reveals what goes on in the whips office

On Tuesday, ninety-one Conservative MPs rebelled over a key House of Lords reform vote at second reading - the biggest rebellion by David Cameron's backbenchers since he came to power.

But perhaps more significant was the government's decision to drop the timetabling motion, after it looked like it would lead to almost certain defeat.

After the vote, Record Review's Alicia McCarthy spoke to former Labour whip Lord McAvoy about some of the tactics that may have been used by the government whips as the vote drew closer.

Tommy McAvoy, a senior Labour whip throughout the whole of the last Labour government from 1997 to 2010, says appealing to party loyalty can often be the most effective tactic.

Has the coalition fallen out of love?

Robert Hazell offers some marriage guidance to the coalition

So where do these latest developments leave the coalition government as we approach the half-way point of this five year parliament?

Our reporter Henry Tribe spoke to Professor Robert Hazell , who has written a book on the politics of the coalition.

He began by asking how the Liberal Democrats would react to the events of this week.

Time to 'get on' with Lords reform

Sir George Young says it is time to 'get on' with Lords reform

Alicia McCarthy spoke to Leader of the House, Sir George Young, about the future of Lords reform and the coalition government.

She began by asking whether, without a timetabling motion to limit debate on the bill, its approval by MPs at second reading was something of a hollow victory?

And finally...

Alicia McCathy explains the big change for Record Review

Alicia McCarthy has some exciting news about Record Review.

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