The Daily Politics

Justin Trudeau swept to victory in Canada's general election this week and some suggest his good looks might have played a part, as well as his politics.

Giles Dilnot looks at the images of some international leaders, and what the media and public make of them.

Andrew Neil asks social commentator Peter York, pollster Katherine Peacock, and former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis about how important looks are to the voters.

The Daily Politics

Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg,and Liberal Democrat chief whip in the House of Lords Dick Newby debated the potential power struggle between the House of Lords and House of Commons.

They spoke to Andrew Neil as peers have given the government a headache and are possibly getting in the way of its legislative plans, as they look at whether the Commons or the Lords are really in charge.

Former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis joined in the debate on the Daily Politics.

The Daily Politics

Yanis Varoufakis spoke about leaving office, where he admitted his position had become "undermined" by his own side.

After a film on his political career from Adam Fleming, the former Greek finance minister spoke to Andrew Neil about Greek and EU finances.

Asked about advising Jeremy Corbyn, he said he was "in conversation with the Labour Party."

A former Conservative defence minister has criticised China for being behind cyber attacks similar to last night's targeting of telecommunications firm Talk Talk.

Speaking in the Commons, Sir Gerald Howarth said the Chinese were also "causing concern" in the Asia Pacific region through their military ambitions.

The Tory MP was introducing his private members bill seeking to enshrine into law the UK commitment to spend 2% of GDP on defence, which passed its first parliamentary hurdle on Friday. 

Sir Gerald cited the growing threat of cyber attack as a reason military spending needs protecting.

Drew Hendry, the SNP's transport spokesperson at Westminster, has called for clarity following suggestions by Chris Grayling, the Conservative leader of the House of Commons, that any vote on future expansion of airport capacity in the south east of England would be an 'England only matter'. 

Mr Hendry said the drive for new capacity had been presented as a "national infrastructure project" and, whatever decision was reached, it would have ramifications for all nations of the UK. 

Image source, PA

The Daily Politics

Image source, PA

"Discussions with the Palace are ongoing" on the format of the wreath laying ceremony at the Cenotaph, David Cameron's spokesman has told reporters.

The spokesman said he was not aware of any opposition parties raising concerns about their leaders' proposed involvement.

Earlier a Buckingham Palace spokesman said the format had been reviewed and “that in order to allow the parade to get under way earlier, some members of the Royal Family and political figures will lay their wreaths simultaneously”.

A Downing Street spokesman said that talks on the format for the ceremony were "ongoing" between the Royal Household and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

David Cameron's spokesman has said he's "not aware" of the prime minister having watched a video message from the grandchildren of British man who reportedly faces 350 lashes for breaking the law in Saudi Arabia.

The video which is an appeal to David Cameron as "his only hope" has been published by the Sun newspaper, external.

The PM's official spokesman said he was "not aware" of Mr Cameron having seen the video. 

He would not say whether Mr Cameron had received a reply from Saudi Arabia to his letter about the case.

"The prime minister wrote to the Saudis recently and we continue to maintain dialogue on this important issue," the spokesman added.

The Daily Politics

Jacob Rees-Mogg warns peers that they will be signing the death warrant for the Upper House if they insist on blocking the government's tax credits legislation on Monday.

The Tory MP says David Cameron will "flood" the Lords with 150 or more Conservative peers so that he can get a majority in the chamber, to prevent such a thing happening again.

And this will "bring the House of Lords into disrepute" and trigger reform.

Lib Dem Lord Newby, who argues that the Lords does have the right to block the legislation, says he would welcome reform.

David Cameron's spokesman says the prime minister sees tax credits as "an important part of the package of reforms" and a step towards moving the economy to a "high pay, low welfare, low tax economy".

He said the PM's view is the Lords are there to play a role and they should take note of the votes in the House of Commons. 

He highlighted that issue has "been through the Commons twice".

The PM's spokesman pointed to David Cameron's comments at PMQs on Wednesday.

He was asked whether the PM was concerned that the Chancellor had been saying privately there will be some mitigation for tax credits, to which he replied that the PM and Chancellor have been "speaking as one" on this issue.

He also said that there is no plan to engage in Lords reform.

The Daily Politics

Monday's showdown between the House of Lords and the Commons over the government's controversial tax credit cuts is sparking a lively debate.

Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg is adamant that the Lords cannot block the legislation.

"On money matters the Commons has exclusive competency and this is a most ancient right," he says.

Lib Dem peer Lord Newby, who is among those attempting to delay or ease the tax credit cuts, insists peers would be perfectly within their rights to do so.

"We are going to vote for our motions and vote for the other motions," he says, with the aim of forcing George Osborne to "think again".

On the Talk Talk cyber attack the Prime Minister's Spokesman has said "Any attack of this size and scale is concerning" and said it is right that the authorities investigate.