Page last updated at 15:07 GMT, Friday, 10 July 2009 16:07 UK

The Record Review

In this week's programme, Keith Macdougall asks whether an honest answer to an honest question is too much to ask from our leaders.

With Gordon Brown in Italy for the G8 Summit, it was deputy day at prime minister's questions.

The discussion in full

Harriet Harman and William Hague locked horns over the state of the economy, each giving us their own version of the facts.

But are politicians being straight with us in these exchanges?

Keith Macdougall is joined in the studio by two guests who have dabbled with the truth in their time:

• Howard Flight, former Conservative MP

• Paul Richards, former special adviser to Hazel Blears

Parliamentary language

The ways in which MPs address each other in the House of Commons can sometimes seem strange.

Is 'the honourable member' outdated?

"Mr Smith" or "Miss Jones" will not do. Rather, they call each other by the names of the constituencies they represent.

But in the wake of the Commons electing John Bercow as a modernising Speaker, are the days of traditional parliamentary language numbered?

BBC Parliament's John Willis spoke to Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone and Conservative MP Nicholas Winterton, and asked them if removing the term "honourable member" is a good idea.


Tune in to the Record Review on BBC Parliament at 2300 on Friday, 1100 on Sunday and 0900 on Monday. You can also watch the programme on BBC iPlayer.



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