We Crossbenchers talked today about the problem of debates where they are of a fixed length, say 2-3 hours but so popular perhaps 30 or more speakers has put their name down. With time taken off for introducers and front bench ‘winders-up’, it is quite possible to end up with a time of 3-4minutes for…
Yesterday most of the afternoon in Chamber working on the Report Stage of the Health and Social Care Bill. I had my name on three amendments in the key group about the future shape of the Care Quality Commission. As Baroness Howarth pointed out, some us started out being profoundly opposed to the principles of…
Lord Dholakia and Norton comment on our mountainous post. The letters which really depress me are those handwritten ones personally addressed which contain almost identical material–they are usually on religious topics but can be on anything. Supporters of a particular lobby are asked to write individual letters to peers whose names begin with the same initial…
I’ve been thinking over a discussion last week about the crossbenchers and their voting record. A senior member of the Government mentioned to Lady D’Souza, our convenor, that crossbenchers didn’t always command respect (or perhaps it was popularity) with political peers because they don’t vote very often. It was particularly suggested that crossbenchers should make a…
An announcement today by Gordon Brown that ‘Failing hospitals may be taken over by the private sector’. At least that’s how the media are hyping up a variety of provisions to ensure that competent management interested in improving quality of care and getting best value for money. Mainly it will involve other good NHS management…
