Despite all the talk about the importance of maintaining our membership of the European Convention on Human Rights, it is increasingly seeming to be a dead letter in other European countries. Here is a very brief rundown. It is sad that space does not permit coverage of yet more appalling situations in member states of…
Author Archive for Baroness Deech
“Will not be tolerated”
by Baroness Deech • • 9 Comments
This has become the most defensive, and most meaningless phrase in the English language recently. Corbyn’s response to vicious antisemitism in the Labour party – “racism will not be tolerated in any form”. Lord Chancellor Truss on prison violence – will not be tolerated. Likewise Councils on fly tipping; domestic abuse – dishonesty in divorce…
How not to get a good deal
by Baroness Deech • • 11 Comments
On 21 February, after 20 hours of debate and 180 speakers, the House of Lords followed the House of Commons in giving a second reading to the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill. At the end of the day, acceptance of the revolutionary nature of the referendum outcome won out, albeit with reluctance and disdain…
The Wheelchair User and the Big Baby Buggy
by Baroness Deech • • 11 Comments
I have written earlier about the House of Lords Select Committee on the Equality Act and Disability – http://lordsoftheblog.net/2016/04/17/a-better-deal-for-disabled-persons/ and http://lordsoftheblog.net/2016/12/15/labour-ditches-disabled-people/ – and concluded that one cannot overestimate the lack of compassion, or just indifference, on the part of some members of the public towards disabled people. The Supreme Court judgment in FirstGroup plc v…
Labour Ditches Disabled People
by Baroness Deech • • 3 Comments
I had the privilege of chairing a Lords Select Committee on Disability and Equality in 2015-16, and wrote about it here – http://lordsoftheblog.net/2016/04/17/a-better-deal-for-disabled-persons/. After a year of work, the opportunity presented itself last week of achieving one of our key recommendations, by securing an amendment to the Policing and Crime Bill, currently making its way through…