I am the Chairman of the Intergovernmental Organisations Select Committee and yesterday we took evidence from Mr Sy, the Director of Partnerships and External Relations at UNAIDS in Geneva. The Committee is hearing evidence about communicable diseases and the way intergovernmental organisations are dealing with them. It is an important area of policy because globalisation…
After many trials and tribulations the Lords have got a blog site – thanks to the Hansard Society and the Lords Library and Information Department (and me!) The following will appear on the Guardian ‘Comment is free’ site on Monday: In 2003 I started a blog as an MP. I regarded it as a success…
Following my comments below I note that the EU referendum group who got squeezed out of the media by the demonstration on the roof of Parliament decided to climb up a crane on the Middlesex Guildhall to draw attention to their protest. The original EU lobby attracted several thousand to Parliament but the rooftop demo…
Yesterday there was a very large lobby of Parliament by people wanting a referendum on the EU legislation which they see as a constitution in all but name. Never mind the arguments about the constitution just now but consider why the media gave news priority to a very small group who climbed on the roof…
The question of rights to demonstrate in Parliament Square and Downing Street came up yesterday. Following criticism of police action against demonstrators in Downing Street the Act that requires you to obtain permission prior to a demonstration is under review. The problem is about numbers. Parliament has always guarded the right to free and unrestricted…
