Matt asks how I would change the processes of scrutiny of a Bill in the Lords. First of course I would hope it arrived in better shape from the Commons but all the Bills I’ve watched go through the Commons get almost nothing except ‘tabloid’ type scrutiny of the overtly controversial clauses or those that…
Following on from Lord Norton, my favourite Ministerial response is “As the noble Lord will recognise” which can mean “I’m desperately trying to remember my briefing note on this point, give me a second to collect my thoughts” or ” Come off it you idiot, you’re definitely wrong” depending on context. There are some long-serving…
Back from recess spent in Italy. My Tuscan friends are now plunged deeper in despair about the future of Italy now that Berlusconi has been voted in again. Cost of living is rising, jobs are few, young people stay at home because they can’t find work, the economy stagnates. No-one seems to hope that any…
Got back from New Orleans yesterday after a great week’s trip as ‘an accompanying spouse’ to the American Chemical Society…6000 very welcome academic chemists in one town which desperately needs the tourists back after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The old French Quarter and Garden District were untouched and as beautiful as ever…
Yesterday evening I attended the Chamber for the Report Stage of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill . On one matter I had read about and discussed an issue with crossbench colleagues, and was pretty sure I was going to vote for an opposition amendment about suspended sentences. Everyone wants suspended sentences and community sentences to become…
