Stenobird

Episode

Is Lord Hermer fit to be Attorney General?

Podcast
Coffee House Shots
Published
Apr 24, 2026
Duration seconds
881
Processing state
processed
Canonical source
https://shows.acast.com/coffee-house-shots/episodes/is-lord-hermer-fit-to-be-attorney-general
Audio
https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/68359028e1abc4be6b032cd1/e/69eb54af0b4baf3bf2e5158e/media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=PjhWV-_WT5ieDN5d7fxQ43ITiXSAB1RXw6NabOCbaJI
JSON
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Markdown
/podcast/coffee-house-shots-496891/is-lord-hermer-fit-to-be-attorney-general.md

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Summary

An analysis of the political fallout surrounding the failure of the assisted dying bill and the scrutiny facing Attorney General Lord Hermer. The discussion explores whether procedural delays or fundamental flaws led to the bill's collapse and examines the implications of Hermer's legal history for his new government role.

Topics

  • British Politics
  • House of Lords
  • Assisted Dying Bill
  • Lord Hermer
  • Labour Party
  • Attorney General
  • Iraq War
  • Parliamentary Procedure
  • Downing Street

Highlights

  • Main idea: The assisted dying bill failed due to a combination of procedural mismanagement and growing opposition from both religious and civil liberties groups
  • Failure mode: The government's inability to build a consensus or provide sufficient parliamentary time prevented the bill from reaching a successful vote
  • Political risk: Lord Hermer's previous legal work against British troops in Iraq creates a potential political vulnerability for the Labour government regarding veteran relations
  • Practical takeaway: The Attorney General holds immense, often overlooked power over Whitehall's 'green-lighting' processes, making the individual's judgment critical
  • Internal tension: Allegations of backroom pressure by Morgan McSweeney highlight the ongoing scrutiny of Downing Street's influence on departmental decision-making

Chapters

  1. 1:00 The Collapse of the Assisted Dying Bill: An examination of why the assisted dying legislation failed to pass, focusing on the shift from initial support to widespread opposition.
  2. 5:10 Procedural Hurdles and Legislative Deadlocks: Discussion on the impact of parliamentary 'wash-up' and the difficulty of passing private member's bills through the House of Lords.
  3. 6:00 Scrutiny of Lord Hermer: An investigation into the Telegraph report regarding Lord Hermer's past legal actions involving Iraq War veterans and the impact on his suitability for office.
  4. 7:00 The Power of the Attorney General: Exploring the significant, often invisible influence the Attorney General exerts over government policy and Whitehall operations.
  5. 10:10 Downing Street and the Mandelson Affair: Analyzing the public perception of political elites and the scrutiny surrounding the appointment of Lord Mandelson.
  6. 12:40 The Role of Morgan McSweeney: A look at the upcoming testimony of Morgan McSweeney and the allegations of undue influence within the Prime Minister's inner circle.