Gordon Brown seems to think he has not 300 days but 300 years to govern. His attitude now is reminiscent of his predecessor who clung to office claiming he was “getting on with the job”. “The job’s not done,” Blair used to say, as though his own premiership – with a bit more time –…
As a former Shadow Leader of the Commons, I naturally take a close interest in what is happening at the other end of the building. Many people will have been dismayed to learn that MPs would not have been able to debate and vote on a motion of confidence in the Speaker without Government co-operation. …
The discussions on the Political Parties and Elections Bill – in “Grand Committee” in the Moses Room – have taken a fascinating turn. As Lord Norton has already reported here, Ministers are having to listen to Peers from all parties (and none), in contrast to the way in which the Bill was pushed through the…
The ‘Blogosphere’ has taken on its own controversy this week. Damian McBride’s plans to work with Derek Draper on a ‘Red Rag’ blog to smear senior Conservatives raises questions beyond the reputation of the individuals concerned – both the smeared and the smearing. Damian McBride was a Special Adviser (or ‘Spad’, as they are known)…
In tune with so much of what has been happening in London this week, I attempted on Tuesday to arouse some politicians from their complacency about the dire reputation of Parliament. My Constitutional Renewal Bill, which received its First Reading then, seeks to put this whole issue back on the agenda. You may recall that,…
