EMQs: Why don’t politicians apologise?

This week, Ed Balls and George Osborne hear from a current and former Member of Parliament. Former Tory minister Greg Clark asks if Andy Burnham’s pledge for ‘devolution in every postcode’ is attainable, while Starmer loyalist John Slinger puts forward his proposals for a ‘youth triple lock’ to improve prospects for young people in the UK. Should there be guarantees on above-inflation maintenance loans and free bus travel? And should there be youth advisors in all government departments? Ed and George praise the initiative behind the idea.

The pair also hear from a London cyclist frustrated by a council's ban on Lime bikes, the question is: has some devolution given away too much control? George recalls his approaches to devolution during the coalition government, while Ed evaluates the regulation of e-bike rentals.

And lastly, Ed and George explain why politicians resist apologising - citing Nick Clegg’s now infamous apology on student loans as an example. Can senior politicians ever recover from apologising about a decision they have made?

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Credits:

Research: Sam Burton

Production: Caillin McDaid & Nasreen Arain

Video Editor: Sam Gruet

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford & Henrietta Harrison

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