Readers who are avid viewers of the Parliament Channel may wish to keep an eye open for the temporary bench in the Lords. Many of the existing red benches are in need of repair, so they are being taken out one at a time to be restored. When one is taken out, it is replaced…
Last Friday I attended my second Lords outreach programme visit. This time I went to Eston Park Sixth Form College, which is only a few miles from where I live. I spent about an hour at the college taking to the students, plus a bit extra to go on a short tour and talk to…
Guest blog from Lord Harrison: The European Union has money troubles. The banking crisis in 2008 was a global disaster whose impact on the EU is still being felt. Just days ago Portugal’s government fell when its plans to cut Portugal’s enormous budget deficit were rejected. It is now paying over 8% interest (that’s compared…
Driving through London late on Saturday night I witnessed the last throes of the demo against the cuts, and it gave me pause for thought. How does one gauge the will of the people? There are frequent small demonstrations outside Parliament, and sometimes it is hard to figure out what the cause is, because the banners…
If it already feels like total immersion in the Health and Social Care Bill I cannot imagine what it will be like when we actually get to consider the blessed thing on the floor of the House. The whole world seems to feel the need to send briefing about the Bill Yesterday for example, I…
This was an interesting question initially focussed on the powers of the Welsh assembly but which quickly focussed on presumed consent. The issue is whether presumed consent would be more effective than a publicity campaign in increasing the number of donors. Having listened to the arguments especially about the influence of the deceased family members…
There has been some progress in the movement to achieve policy relating to drug use and possession that is evidence based. An all-party group has been established to press for evidence-based policy. The all-party group on drugs policy reform draws on a wide range of parliamentarians, including former ministers. It is also encouraging that its…
When there’s a big bill coming up, like the Health and Social Care Bill, progressing in stately fashion through its committee stages in the Commons at the moment, there are numerous briefings and meetings organised to hear the views of the various groups of ‘stakeholders’ who may be affected by the bill. Baroness Thornton, an…
The Lords Select Committee on Communications, of which I am a member, has announced an inquiry into the governance and regulation of the BBC, and has put out a call for evidence. The Select Committee contributed towards the debate around the renewal of the Charter five years ago. Already it is felt right to investigate…
