I have doubts about Wikileaks. Once they are out I think the press has a right to publish though I hope they do screen them to ensure the safety of individuals and organisations but I keep hearing Julian Assange complaining about the press picking up stories about him which he claims are leaks! That’s a bit…
On Thursday December 9th Lord Wallace of Saltaire amazed and alarmed the House by failing to recognise the constitutional importance of Members having access to Parliament during demonstrations. He seemed to see it only as a ‘right to demonstrate’ issue. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldhansrd/text/101209-0001.htm#10120945000752 But right of access for Parliamentarians is important because attempts have been made in…
During the debate last Monday on the Parliamentary Voting Systems and Constituencies Bill there were a couple of interesting little debates one of which was on votes at 16. I have been in favour of this for many years now and I gave my reasons in the debate http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldhansrd/text/101213-0002.htm#10121330000257 . The Government opposed it arguing that…
I was surveying the wreckage from yesterday’s demonstration when I noticed something that says a lot about British democracy and the rule of law. The long running protest by Brian Haw (now joined by others) has been an unsightly part of Parliament Square for some years and various attempts have been made to end it.…
The following exchange at question time yesterday was quite extraordinary. Firstly hearing the Liberal Democrat Minister telling the Conservative Lord Lawson that “We will restore rights to non-violent protest”, left Lord Lawson’s face a picture to behold! More importantly and much more seriously the minister failed to deal with the central question of the right of…
