Nick Clegg has finally admitted that reform to the House of Lords would be impossible in this parliament due to the intransigence of Tory backbenchers. In retaliation, he vowed to withhold his party's support for plans to redraw constituency boundaries - a Conservative priority - and in doing so cast more doubt on the ability of the coalition to last the full five-year term.
Joining Tom Clark this week on the podcast: Observer columnist Nick Cohen, the Guardian's Martin Kettle and Mark Pack of Lib Dem Voice.
Also on the agenda this week: as Britain revels in its multiple gold medals at the Olympic Games, Boris Johnson is happily drawing attention to himself. The mayor of London's craftily worded statements are being parsed for anything resembling a future leadership challenge as David Cameron's own ratings continue to wane.
If Johnson is to return to Westminster, it won't be at the Corby by-election. The London mayor has ruled out such a move, and pollsters are predicting a Labour win in the seat held by Tory Louise Mensch who stood down this week as an MP.
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