Transcripts For CSPAN British House Of Commons Question Time 20151102

It is available for 8. 95 plus shipping. At cspan. Org\landmark cases. Cspan, the best coverage of congress. Here are viewer comments via tweet. This, the best access to congress is on cspan, cspan radio, and cspan. Org. Go behind the scenes on capitol hill by following our producer. Next british Prime Minister, David Cameron, takes questions. Next the press on how they covered the obama administration. After that, a discussion on universal Broadband Services with commissioners from the fcc. On wednesday, british Prime Minister David Cameron answered questions about the syrian refugee crisis, uks relationship with the european credits. D tax this is just over 35 minutes. Ng access or a getting into the country but also to ensure when it gets into the country fuel that is needed and also get around the country to communities in need. Order. Questions to the Prime Minister. Steven metz calf. Number one, mr. Speaker. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Before answering the audible for and i know the whole house will wish to join in paying tribute to michael. He died said last week and we send our condolences to his family and friends. Michael dedicate his life to public service, diligently representing his constituency in this place for a staggering 45 years. He was a passionate advocate of the causes he believed in. These included the environment and is able to put these into practice as a minister between 19972003. This house and our politics are a poorer place without him and i know colleagues from all sides of this chamber will remember him with affection and miss him greatly. Here, here. Mr. Speaker, this morning i had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others, and in addition to my duties in this house, i shall have further such meetings later today. [inaudible] skimmable my right honorable friend join in celebrating that one in 10 of the worlds doctors are built in basildon . [shouting] but not an airbus. It flies without a part without built in basildon. Its also attracting from what were known or decisions such as the royal opera house. All this is leading to job creation and opportunities. Will be, therefore, to all began to ensure that britain remains a great place to do business and prosper in . Basildon has a special place in my heart. I did know all those statistics but it hasnt even more special place. I can tell them that the longterm use claimant count in his constituency is down by 42 in the last year. He spoke about what a good place britain is to do business but im pleased to say we are now sixth in the rankings in the world for the best place to set up and to run a business. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Can i start by tackling the remarks the premise made about Michael Meacher. On behalf of his constituents and the much wider community, our condolences to his family. I spoke with him last i asked them how they would like michael to be remembered. They talked about it and send a very nice message which ive agreed out that its quite brief but very poignant. This is what they said. In memory of michael. When i was young one of the things he quickly said to me was that people went into politics because the principles and wanted to change things to make the world better. But in order to get into power they would often compromise on the principles and that this could happen again and again until it eventually did get into power they wouldve become so compromised that they would do nothing with it. Those who knew michael doing us a decent, hardworking, passionate and profound me. He represent his constituency with the distinction for 45 years. He was a brilliant environment minister as the Prime Minister pointed out. He was totally committed to parliamentary democracy come and this Parliament Holding government or covenant to account, and he was a lifelong campaigner against injustice and poverty. We remember michael for all of those things. We express our condolences, express our sympathies to his family at the very difficult time. Is will be a hard act to follow but we will do our best. Here, here. Mr. Speaker, following events in the other place on monday evening at the plate acceptance from the Prime Minister of the results, can he guarantee to the house and to the wider country that nobody will be worse off next year as a result of cuts to working tax credits . What i can guarantee is that we have remained committed to the vision of a high pay, low tax, lower economy and we believe the way to make sure that everyone is better off each keep going our economy, keep inflation low, keep cutting peoples taxes and edited a National Living wage. House for our changes the chancellor will set them out in the autumn statement. Jeremy corbyn. The question i was asking was quite simply this. Will he confirm right now that tax credit cuts will not make anyone worse off in april next year of . We want people to be better off because were cutting their taxes and increasing their pay. But hes going to have to be a little patient because although these changes passed the house of commons five times which was ever enlarging majority can we will set out new proposal in the autumn statement that he will be able to study them. Jeremy corbyn. Mr. Speaker, this is the time when asked questions to Prime Minister on behalf of the people of this country. [shouting] [laughter] thank you. [inaudible] if i can continue. People are very worried about whats going to happen to them next april. What exactly does the Prime Minister mean he is considering it . Theres an autumn statement coming up, but we thought he was committed to not counting tax credits. Is he going to cut tax credits or not . Are people going to do worse off are not in april next year . He must know the answer. I will make two points. First of all we set out in our next manifesto were going to find 12 billion pounds of savings in welfare. Order. There is too much noise in the chamber. Order. The questions must be heard and the answers must be heard. The Prime Minister. Thank you, mr. Speaker. And its important point because of course every penny we do save on welfare savings we have defined in the education budget or into policing budget or in the health budget. The second point that i would make is because of whats happened in the other place of course we should have a debate about how to reform welfare and how to reduce the cost of welfare. Im happy to have that debate but, of course, it is difficult to that debate with the honorable gentleman because he has opposed every single well for he doesnt support the welfare cannot. He doesnt support the cap on housing benefit. He doesnt think that any change to welfare is worthwhile. I have to say if we want a Strong Economy and we want growth i want to get rid of our deficit, if you want to secure our country we need to reform welfare. Project. Some the new pictures some other newspapers have come out against them. He did commit to 12 a. M. Cuts but repeated and refused to say whether taxpayers are going to be part of the effect he said they work. Can he now give us the answer were trying to get today . Answer the question. The answer will be set out in the autumn statement when we set out our proposal. But i have to say to him, he has come to quite a strange set of events when you have the house of commons voted for something five times, when theres absolutely [inaudible] and the labour party is left defending, depending upon uncollected in the house of lords. [shouting] weve got a new our lives. The unelected and the unelectable. [shouting] mr. Speaker, its very interesting the Prime Minister still refuses to answer the fundamental question. [shouting] this is not a constitutional crisis. This is a crisis for 3 million families in this country, for threeputting mammas were very worried about what could happen for 3 million families who are going to worry about will happen next april. The justice secretary said in as your question on the bbc world of one, are you going to cut tax credits . The answer was we are not going to cut them. Why did he say that . What i said in the election at the basic level of tax credits would stay the same. 2780 pounds per child, it stays exactly the same. But the point is this big if we want to get our deficit down, if we want to secure our economy, if we want to keep on with secure growth from we need to make savings in welfare. Now, even with his deficit denying forever plan, presumably has to make some savings, probably spend to get if you dont save any money on welfare you end up cutting the nhs. You end up cutting even more deeply policing budget. Those are the truths. When is he going to stop his denial, get off the fence and tell us what he will do . [shouting] mr. Speaker, order. A moment ago i said the answers must be heard. The questions need to be heard. He will ask his question. It will be heard. If it takes longer, so be it. Jeremy corbyn. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I five times asked the Prime Minister today whether or not they have all been worse off if they receive working tax credits next april. He still has not been able to answer me or indeed many others. Can i put you in a question i was sent by [shouting] mr. Speaker, at may be very amusing to members opposite, but [shouting] i was sent this question by karen, and she, i quote, what is the Prime Minister punishing working families . I work fulltime and earns a living wage within the public sector. That tax credit cuts will push me and my family into hardship. Can he give a castiron guarantee, to karen come and to all the other families who are very worried what is going to happen next april to the income, how are they going to make ends meet . He could give them the after today. I hope you will. I ask them for the sixth time, please give us an answer to a very straightforward, very simple question. What i would say to karen is this. If she is on the living wage working in the public sector, next year in april she will benefit from been able to earn 11,000 pounds before she pays any income tax at all. It was about 6000 pounds when i became Prime Minister. If she is sure she will benefit from 30 hours of childcare every week. That is something that has happened under this government. But above all she will benefit because with a growing economy, because we have zero inflation, because with 2 million more people in work, because we had to drink 3 billion apprentices in this parliament and that is the fact. The reason the labour party lost the last election is ever completely untrusted on the deficit come on debt, and on a stable economy. And sense of in the deficit deniers have taken over the labour party. That is what happened when you look at their plans, borrowing forever, printing money, hiking up taxes come it is working people like karen that would pay the price. [shouting] david morris. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my constituency unemployment has fallen by 30 since 2010. This government has delivered the link road after six years which will create even more jobs in my area when it is completed. Does my friend the Prime Minister agreed that the conservatives are ensuring that it is back open for business the . I well remember visiting my honorable friends constituency a look at the road works that were being put in place a going to open up the port, that will help would bring for new Nuclear Power station and all the steps he wants to see. I can tell in the longterm use claimant count in his constituency has fallen by 30 in the last year. Those are all young people not able to work, able to benefit from our growing economy. Sir angus robertson. We associate ourselves with the condolences of our been expressed by the Prime Minister and leader of the opposite. Last week i asked about the tragic circumstances of a man from north london to a disabled man who took his own life after an assessment by the department of work and pensions. We know 60 investigations have taken place into suicides following the cancellation of benefits, but the findings have been published. The Prime Minister said to me last week that he would look very carefully at the specific question about publication. Will the Prime Minister confirm windows findings will be published . I will write to him about this but my memory for looking into his question afterwards is the are very good reasons why we cant publish this specific report that he talks about because it has, it has personal and medical data in it which would not be appropriate for publication. If ive got that wrong on the right to them but that is my clear memory of looking this question after last week. Thank you very much. Will a man in the West Midlands was 53 when he took his life. The corner wrote a major factor in his death was a statement had greatly reduce leaving almost destitute. His sister said its a double of a deal for going to be affected the worst. The dwp need to publish these reviews. The Prime Minister says that he is concerned by the views of the families involved. The families say the findings should be published. Will be published the findings . 3 Million Pounds are going to have their Child Tax Credits cancel. We need the answer to these questions. First of all let me just correct him on his last point. Under the proposals we put forward, those people on the lowest levels as they were protected because of the National Living wage and those people on the lowest incomes were protected because we were protecting the basic award of the Child Tax Credit at 2780 pounds. I think the other part of the question is the bit ive already answered which is my understanding but i will send him about if ive got it wrong come is there were too many personal and medical details for that to be published. I think that is an important consideration in whether deciding whether to publish something. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, id like to ask the Prime Minister about ruby your ruby is one of my youngest constituents, she is just one month old. Why should ruby face the prospect of spending her entire working life paying off the debt thats been built up by visit generation . I think ruby is absolutely right to care about ruby when we became the government, one in four pounds spent by the government was borrowed money. We had one of the biggest budget deficits anywhere in the world, and its always easier for people to say put off the difficult decisions, dont make any spending reductions. But what theyre doing is burdening future generations with debt. What i would take to the labour front bench, that is not generosity. That is selfishness. Will thank you, mr. Speaker. Thank you, mr. Speaker. [shouting] i think the honorable lady must have misheard. Innocent. Mrs. Sharon hutchins center. We all know about Prime Minister is open promise on tax credits but will the final nail in the coffin of compassionate conservatism be hammered home if you were to scrap universal Infantry School meals in the review, taking hot healthy meals out of the mouth of innocent, blameless infant children . Will be guaranteed now not to scrap the universal infant preschool meals [shouting] im immensely proud that it was a government i lead that introduced this policy. [shouting] thirteen years, 13 years of labour government. Did they ever do that . No speed and do we remember the infant new builds on the labour party . Im proud of what we have done and we will be keeping at. [shouting] stephen phillips. Thank you very much, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my right honorable friend has demonstrated considerable leadership enjoyed a britain is the second largest donor of bilateral aid in series you. But there is another crisis going on which the world has largely forgotten about. In yemen there is an ongoing war. 1. 4 many people have been forced to flee their homes, 3 billion faced starvation, half a million children are ever some lifethreatening malnutrition malnutrition under president of the International Red cross has said in yemen after five months we are in the same position as we are in serious after five years. Please, can we do more . My honorable friend is right to raise this and we have been involved in trying to help in this situation right from the start as in syria we are a major contributor in terms of humanitarian aid. Weve made clear all of yemeni party should engage without preconditions and in good faith in piece talks to allow yemen to move towards a sustainable piece and that needs to be a piece based on the fact that all people in yemen need proper representation by their government. To our similarities with syria which is on a government on behalf of one part of the country is never going to be a sustainable solution. Cristy blackmon. Mr. Speaker, how dare anyone in this house are in a 74 a year till families that their combined income of 25,000 pounds is too much affinity give it some of the back to bounce the economy . Try to do the Prime Minister refused to put this in his manifesto because he knew he wouldnt be a lack of . Let me remind the honorable lady about the situation we inherited. When i became Prime Minister nine out of 10 families were getting tax credits including members of parliament. That is a crazy this is a we inherited. We reduce that during the last parliament, pose that is of course by labour and the snp to 610 families. Our proposals would take it down to five out of 10 families but these are not proposals on their own. They are accompanied by National Living wage for the first time. They are accompanied by allowing people to earn 11,000 pounds before paying tax for the first time. Those sorts of measures while the short family that she talks about. Michel donovan. The Prime Minister spoke movingly at conference at the plight of young people. Cant be answered, what with the government actually did improve the life chances of these young disadvantaged children and give them opportunities as they move forward in their lives . I think but are open for her question for the most important think we can do is to speed up the adoption system so that more children get a copy at what weve seen since ive been partnership is an increase in adoptions but then because of what one or two judgments its slipped backwards a bit and we did work very hard to make sure more children get up out of. Up for those who cant be adopted we need to make sure or Residential Homes are doing the best possible job they cant and that is why today i can as i passed the former chief executive who is an excellent Public Servant who worked with wins at the home office to conduct an independent review of childrens residential care, reporting to the education secretary and myself so we can take every possible step to give these children the best start in life. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Redundant steelworkers such as those in wrexham Pay National Insurance contributions and play by the rules. Why then is this government limiting mortgage interest support for them in the future and making them pay twice, once for National Insurance and wants to paying back a loan . Is a that type of action and a responsible government like is should not be pursuing, and isnt it an example of compassionate conservatism dying . Actually what he refers to as a temporary recession measure on mortgage payments that was continued for five years, but he does give me the opportunity to say as i promised i would last night to update the house on what were doing to help this evening and she which i know is important as constituency. And on energy costs i can announce today we will refund the Energy Intensive industries for the full amount of the policy cost they face as soon as we get the state is a judgment froms brussels. Payment will be making elite and that payment will be made throughout this parliament. Far more generous than what is been proposed by the party office at. [shouting] mr. Grimm abends. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Ive had hundreds of emails from constituents regarding the Northern Powerhouse and i have just chosen one. John emailed me to tell me [shouting] cannot listen to leader of the opposition with his strategy of higher spending, higher barbara, more debt, but instead to stick your longterm economic plan for higher wage, lower welfare, low tax society. Does the Prime Minister agree with john . I do agree. John estimates and more sense in his email and the leader of the opposition did in at least six questions to the point i would make is not only have we seen an economy that is growing, 2 million more people in work, inflation that is low so Living Standards are rising but we can see their art 680,000 fewer workers households and 480,000 fewer children and workers workers households. If you want to measure the real difference, think of those children, think of those households and think of the dignity of work. Mr. Speaker, last weekend was the First Anniversary of the death from Cervical Cancer of my constituent age 23 put in june 2013 should been concerned enough to ask for an early test but she was refused because she was under 20 [inaudible] her family have written an open letter to the Prime Minister. Can i ask you not to offer here a reflex repeat of the rationale for current screening age policy, but to reflect on the questions raised about how this translates into refusing smear tests the young women . And to consider the agerelated data since the screening age was increased in 20 2004 speak with he raises a tragic case and our thoughts go to her family and her friends. He raises an important case because of course the uk National Screening Committee Said the age at 25 to understand is the reason for that is not a resources based decision to its because of the potential perverse medical consequences of carrying out screening routinely below that age that would be a number potential false positives because of actually anatomical changes that go on at that age. Its not a resource decision. What has he says it is worth looking at those people who fear they have a Family History and ask for a test and i will write to on that specific issue. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Yesterday the eu said we can no longer have dealt with on the internet to protect our children from indecent images. I want to know what the Prime Minister is going to do to make sure that our children remain protected. Like her i think it is absolutely vital important we enable parents to have that protection for their children from this that you on the internet. Probably like i a wonder bread y get email this morning i splattered on my complex because we worked hard to put in place these filters. But i can reassure her, i can reassure her because we actually security and opt out yesterday so we can keep our familyfriendly filters to protect children. And i can tell the house that we will legislate to put out agreement with Internet Companies on this issue into the law of the land so that our children will be protected. Mr. Speaker, could associate myself with the Prime Ministers earlier remarks about the late Michael Meacher who is a decent man, they could constituent mp and an extreme effective environment secretary. Yesterday i visited the refugee camps, and there i met families that were inspirational and desperate. Alongside with the British Charity workers that i found, i am frankly ashamed we will not offer to help a single one of those refugee families. May i ask this question, with the agreed with save the children that we take as a country 3000 vulnerable unaccompanied children in europe some of whom are as young as six . Lasslast the last. Confirm to our partners and the british people that no option is off the table or british options will be considered including the option of a relationship such as that of norway if it is negativable and in our negotiable. No options are off the table. If they dont get what we need in our renegotiation i rule absolutely nothing out. But it is important we have the debate in this nation were firm about the fact as figures. Some are arguing britain to leave the european union. Not all people, some people particularly pointed to position of norway saying saying that isd outcome. I would guide very against that. Norway pays as much per head to the e. U. As we do. They take as twice as many migrants as we do in this country. They have no seat at table, no ability to negotiate. Im not arguing that all those who want to leave the e. U. Say they want to borrow the norwegian path but some do. Very important in the debate were absolutely clear about the consequences of these consequences. Join me in congratulating myself toneyearold constituent jesse mcabe on 3800 name petition First Time Ever to accept women composers on the syllabus. Will you tell us is a [inaudible] if feminism means we should treat people equally, yes absolutely. Absolutely. Im proud of the fact that i have got sitting around the cabinet table, a third of women sitting around cabinet table and something we promised and something we delivered. But can i congratulate her above all, can i congratulate her for her achievement in terms of this epetition and constituents and her have done a good job. Mr. Turner. Sir, the nhs england, nhs england knows that the aisle the White Commission group is outlyer in relation to the outpatient partners. Can my right honourable friend confirm that progress is being made to identify factors affecting the island . Will we benefit from amendments to the new ccg formula. What i can say to my honourable friend it is right that decisions on allocations are made independent of ghost and not by government. So that is how the formula is reached. I can also tell them that there is an independent review of the funding formula underway we expect to see its recommendations later this year but these things should be done in a fair and transparent way. Mary cray. Mr. Speaker, remember meeting my constituent neil shepherd and sharon wood nine years ago this week. They took their two children, christie age seven, and bobby age six on holiday. The children tragically died of carb carb poison Carbon Monoxide poisoning. They wish that other people not suffer the tragedy they endured. In the European Parliament on recommendation that the commission bring forward on legislation to improve Carbon Monoxide safety and fire safety for tourism premises in the e. U. Can i ask the Prime Minister that his mep support it and if this false would he look to insit gait legislation nationally in this country . I remember the meeting we had and great bravery of irparent in that terrible loss to campaign that others didnt lose children the way they had. As for legislation in country, we do have strict legislation on particular things about fire resistant materials but i will look after that too. Question 14, closed question. 14, sir. Prime minister, set out a ambitious longterm plan for the midlands, future engine of growth for the whole of u. K. Across bost were working with Business Leaders and local authorities to progress this ambition. Michael fabrika. I thank the right honourable friend for his answer. The Northern Powerhouse will help millions but the West Midlands is the only region in the u. K. Which has a trade balance surplus with china and greater birm birmingham, has greatest private sector job creation in the u. K. Since 2010. Will the Prime Minister now insure in the National Interest that the West Midlands secures the best evolution deal possible . Prime minister. Huge potential here to secure massive devolution to the West Midlands. Everyone in in the midlands they will be left out of Northern Powerhouse. West midlands is Perfect Place to benefit and success and growth of london and of course rebalancing of our economy towards the north of england. In terms of the West Midlands we look forward to, the West Midlands combined authority coming forward with its plan. What i say to all of these areas, contemplating devolution and devolution deals the more you put on table. Bolder you can be with your vision, the bolder the response you will get from government. Mr. Speaker, can i tell the Prime Minister and the chancellor strong support of all party, left, business, local authorities right across the West Midlands for properly funded significant devo solution field to get the brownfield sites redeveloped, to tackle congestion so we can transform the West Midlands with more jobs, better skills, quicker transport and new homes . Im very glad to hear from the honourable gentleman what there is opportunity in the West Midlands to work across parties to get the best deal across all these authorities. As i said the more we get the local authorities to come together and Work Together and put their ambition and vision on the table, the even the better response they will get from the government. Simon burns. [shouting] does my right honourable friend agree with me that bullying in the work place is reprehensible . Can he tell me whether the government is planning any review of the legislation with a view to extending it to this chamber . Prime minister. Given that my honourable friend called for Prime Minister questions at 12 38, i would have thought any hint of bullying was clearly over in this house. In any conceivable way he suffers no disadvantage. I must admit, bullying in the work place is problem. I think we need to make sure it is stamped out and dealt with wherever it occurs that should appl that youve been watching Prime Ministers questions. Cspan. Org,me at where you can find video on this and other British Public affairs programs. Monday on the communicators, california representative on House Communications and subcommittee discusses how data the spectrum auction should be handled. She is joined by politicos technology reporter. The two am struck i is main pillars that need to be honored. Ive to 90 of these pages are due to two factors. A lack of hygiene in the system lack of security management. Monday night at 8 00 eastern on cspan two. Next, members of the White House Press court discuss how they covered the obama administration. Commissioners from the fcc. Then, a Senate Hearing with members discussing how to improve the military. And the press corps talks about how they handle the administration. This is about one hour and 15 minutes. Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Im going to have a couple of quick announcements then we will have a short pause for the cameras, and then we will go to kevin nunley who will introduce our modern writer. Welcome. Introduce our moderator. Welcome. This is an important part of the you will have a chance to learn about different strategies for citizens to make a difference about issues they care about. At the conclusion my colleague will take a few moments to share with you logistics and thoughts for making the transition to this afternoons conversations. We have come from all over the world and country, and we have a panel of professionals today that we could pretty much only put together here in washington dc. They are leaders in their field and the folks we say get to write the first draft of history. This is a Good Opportunity for you to think about the issues you care about and the difference you want to make as you embark on your future pathways of achievement. To introduce us, our Vice President of student affairs. [applause] good morning everyone. Welcome ourasure to moderator, miss christi parsons. Is a 26 year veteran of the chicago tribune. Recent he has an undergraduate degree in journalism and english. And a masters from yell. Please welcome miss christi parsons. [applause] thank you for that nice introduction. When we were talking to college students, i didnt expect you to show up on a friday morning. I didnt expect you to be dressed so professionally. We are going to have to up our game. It is not at 8 00. [laughter] we are looking at you and listening to you. We appreciate you giving us that honor. The Washington Center does such great work educating our future leaders. Hopefully some of you are aspiring journalists and Public Servants and advocates. It is good to talk to this crowd directly on this friday morning. The introducer said, im christy parson christi parsons. I dont just right for one outlet anymore. I work for lots of readers and for a wire service as well. The media landscape is changing. We will talk about that. My audience is broad and wide. We really are lucky to have this panel of white house correspondents the press and the presidency. The president could not be here today. [laughter] he is running the country or something. So this will be from the perspective of of the press. It is a special group of people. They are members of the White House Press corps. They cover the presidency. We have Something Like 40 years of experience covering the white house. We thought it would be helpful for you to hear from each person here and their personal story, professional story, how they got to where they are today. I would like to start with that and we will go first to Kathleen Hennessey from the Associated Press who was my partner at the white house covering the president from the los angeles times. Kathleen hennessey we were colleagues three weeks ago. That. Ls strange to say i work for the Associated Press which is a wire service. Almost all of the newspapers in the country, in addition to the internet and internationally an almosts audience, it is alone in the way it covers the president completely, fully, at every possible moment more or less. Therefore my job when i worked for a newspaper has shifted a a constanttoo being presence in the white house. We consider ourselves a constant set of eyes as much as possible. I started my career in washington and with the l. A. Times. Cover ao go and statehouse in nevada, and politics in las vegas, to get out into the country and cover politics on a more local level. I came back to washington to Cover Congress and national campaigns. Now i am at the white house. One of the things that i said that is most unique about the way that is different from the way we covered the president is different than the way we cover any other politician in washington or statehouse, he is basically stuck with us almost all the time. Anypublic statements, public appearance, even a personal dinner out with his wife, a cough game a golf game, we are nearby. A small cluster of the press as representative of the larger pool of the press corps, it is not glamorous. Looking for any sign we can of him, making sure he is where he supposed to be, and giving a rhythm of his daily life. Christi we view say where you are from and what your academic past was. Kathleen i didnt do any journalism when i was in school originally, i didnt know what i wanted to do. I studied history, the classics. I wasnt it wasnt a terribly useful major. I got into journalism later in life and went to berkeley for graduate school. I did internships at the l. A. Times and the ap. So that was thank you. Lets do an introduction with april ryan. But now is as a dj public author. Im very excited about this new book by april. The presidency in black and white. We are talking about the things she raises. Will you do your twominute personal history for everybody. I from baltimore, maryland. I cut my teeth and news in baltimore. Baltimore is a newsy town. You know i love my job. Discrted out as a disjo jockey. I was i also would like to introduce from cnn. He is going to share his story with us. I was born about a mile outside the beltway in virginia, i grew up in northern virginia. I grew up in this area. I went to James Madison university. After that, i came to washington. Im sure you guys are members sam donaldson. At channel five. When i answered the phone, hello, can i speed to jan smiths, please, and i would get people to talk get people their coffee and their meals and i had no Health Benefits and they would say jim, covered as driveby shooting that happened, mary would come up and give an impromptu press, rinse, so that was my first taste of Television News and i was hooked. I worked my way into a job in knoxville, then i went to dallas and chicago. Then i was hired by cbs news and later cnn. I finally got back to washington doing what i love which is covering politics, covering at , typicallyaign whoever wins coast of the white house so i thought well, i am not going to the white house. Theread, what you go over. You are good at and knowing these guys. While you try a guy that actually won the election . I have been there since early 2013. It is fascinating. , doingbody was saying of the firste shot draft of history is quite challenging and exciting, exhausting, but it is a real treat. At the luckiest guy in the world when i walk in the white house every day. I count myself lucky to work with journalists, keeps you on your toes. It makes you want to do your best every day. You really do write the first draft of the first draft of history. I dont know if you watch the briefings or the white house briefings or the press conferences at the white house. Then you see jim stand up and turn around and Start Talking to the cameras 30 seconds after the press conference ended. The rest of the press core is listening to the folks doing the immediate take. It is very influential. Very infe conference. Thats the first read that most people get on here. You are not the only ones listening, the other people in the press for listening as well. Thats an amazing talent. I usually take at least 15 minutes in a phone. We will talk about how we cover the white house. Kathleen alluded to something in her opening story abouts the pool at the white house. This is a really important crew of 21 people they are very close event president for every or press open event. They report back to other members of the press corps about what has been said or done. Numbers 13. Vel the those people are on air force one with the president everywhere he goes. There with him sending feedback to their peers to report was going on. Kathleen is a member of the permanent school. Its one kind of rare that we have her here right now. Someone should be with the president. One of her peers. Can you talk about the little bit. Why is it so important that the us to keep that constant watch . Somenk its a mix of of it is just the dark lesson of history really in that the president people want to do harm to him. Myanything would ever happen organization and several others have decided we had to be there. We have to be in the motorcade, have to be near him should thing ever happened. Think at the core. Would almost talk about it, but thats part of it. Isther part of it is that he arguably the most important person in washington and how he spends his time is without a doubt almost always a public interest. Theres very little that the it seems crazy and make some folks in the white house crazy but it is the truth of him being as and as public s he is. An awful lot organizations have come up with is very elaborate systems make sure the just about everything he says and does is done under some oversight. It can become obligated. Many people ask why you keep it up in one of those people is the president himself. Are there times when you spend a lot of time in the white house for 18 years. Are there times when youre watching the president s in keeping up with his daily schedule, are there things that you learn just from being there . Oh my gosh yes. Youre not going to learned from the public schedule. I remember be there recently i was walking into the white house and i thought people coming out of the white house and look mostly it was congressional leaders. And their families. I sit with you doing here . They said we met with president. I said what committees are you on . They told me i sent him. Instance, i was told to turn my phone off. We only have our volunteer because we need to find out our source could be telling us something going on. Someone inside the white house could be telling us. We are 20 47. Its all about anything president ial. Being there you get a chance to talk to the newsmakers and the president. When they see you its about trust and relationship. If they trust you and feel that they can talk to you they will give you information on breaking news. You might even get a chance to talk to the president. Its important enough building and its not a kind place. Claustrophobic need not apply. Im in a room that looks like a phone booth