This is No Way to Run a Country: A conversation with former veterans minister Johnny Mercer

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Former veterans minister Johnny Mercer joins us to discuss his new book, No Way to Run a Country: An Outsider’s Journey into the Heart of our Broken Politics , and his struggle to change veterans’ policy from inside Westminster and Whitehall. Mercer entered Parliament after serving in Afghanistan, determined to improve support for former service personnel. He recalls arriving with little knowledge of parliamentary politics, the unexpected impact of his maiden speech, and how he used his role on the Defence Select Committee and the media to press for change. He takes us behind the scenes at Prime Minister’s Questions: what happens when an MP is chosen to ask a question, and why do so many…