Week in Westminster - 31/10/2009

Leaks of what Sir Christopher Kelly is proposing for MPs and their allowances increased the sense of gloom at Westminster this week. Hilary Armstrong the former Labour chief whip who is retiring at the next election feels the recommendations will deter women, especially those with children, from becoming MPs. Another topic of conversation at Westminster was whether or not Tony Blair should become president of the European council when the Lisbon Treaty is finally ratified. Patricia Hewitt, Michael Howard and Ed Davey discuss. Also in the programme. How could the government make a misjudgement over the funding of the Territorial Army so soon after having to climb down over the issue of the Ghurkhas? Lindsay Hoyle and Desmond Swayne give their verdict. And two parliamentary prospective candidates Claire Kelley ( Liberal Democrat) and Sean Bailey (Conservative) talk of their expectations of what parliamentary life might involve.