In a recent post, I identified problems with ensuring that government consultations are accessible to interested members of the public. Consultation papers are sent to established groups on a Department’s mailing list but otherwise often just placed on the Department’s website as a means of reaching the public. As a result of the post, I…
It is amazing how otherwise well-informed commentators fall for “isn’t the House of Lords wonderful” complacency. David Seymour, former political editor of the Mirror Group, should surely know better. In his recent list of “Unsung Heroes” in TOTAL POLITICS he drew attention to some very distinguished Peers. Unfortunately, he failed to check their record of…
Well, Paul Dacre (editor of the Daily Mail) has launched a vitriolic attack on a judge for advancing the cause of privacy! He argues that the powerful will hide behind a privacy law and I would agree if there was one but there isn’t. He is actually complaining about the Human Rights legislation which requires…
Last Friday night, when Jonathan Ross usually fills the screens of BBC 1, I appeared on Sky News. I was asked to give my views on BBC Radio Two’s apology for “phonegate”. This is not the official term but every scandal seems to have a ‘gate’ added now! I am, of course, referring to the…
There was an important debate on the Planning Bill last Thursday. The Conservatives had put down an amendment that would have taken the final say away from the Infrastructure Planning Commission – a proposed new independent body that would deal with major infrastructure programmes. Instead the final say would be with the government and Parliament.…
