My recent post on the behaviour of the media seems very apposite in view of the baby P case. It is a tragic case and it may well be that an enquiry will reveal failings. It may also result in disciplinary action, sackings or resignations. None of that justifies the press hounding of social…
Between the start of a session and the following Easter recess, Thursdays in the House are given over to debates on topics chosen by the parties (or cross-benchers) or individual peers. The motions in the names of the individual peers are chosen by ballot. On Thursdays reserved for these motions, two are selected, each being debated…
I have served on committees throughout the ten years that I have been a member of the Lords. However, I have spent even longer making the occasional appearance before committees. My first appearance before a parliamentary committee at Westminster was in 1984 and before a committee of an overseas legislature in 1985. This morning I gave evidence to…
In response to my earlier post on improving communications, Mike asked if I would reproduce the Questions that I have tabled on Government consultation exercises. They were published today: Tabled on 12 November and due for answer by 26 November. Lord Norton of Louth to ask Her Majesty’s Government why the Cabinet Office removed its webpage listing…
A week last Friday, I spoke at two schools, the John Cleveland College in Hinckley, Leicestershire, and Queen Margaret’s School, York. I was initially invited to talk about constitutional change but each opted for a more specific talk on the role of the Lords. Last Friday, I also spoke on Lords reform at a sixth-form conference in…
In a recent post, I identified problems with ensuring that government consultations are accessible to interested members of the public. Consultation papers are sent to established groups on a Department’s mailing list but otherwise often just placed on the Department’s website as a means of reaching the public. As a result of the post, I…
It is amazing how otherwise well-informed commentators fall for “isn’t the House of Lords wonderful” complacency. David Seymour, former political editor of the Mirror Group, should surely know better. In his recent list of “Unsung Heroes” in TOTAL POLITICS he drew attention to some very distinguished Peers. Unfortunately, he failed to check their record of…
Well, Paul Dacre (editor of the Daily Mail) has launched a vitriolic attack on a judge for advancing the cause of privacy! He argues that the powerful will hide behind a privacy law and I would agree if there was one but there isn’t. He is actually complaining about the Human Rights legislation which requires…
Last Friday night, when Jonathan Ross usually fills the screens of BBC 1, I appeared on Sky News. I was asked to give my views on BBC Radio Two’s apology for “phonegate”. This is not the official term but every scandal seems to have a ‘gate’ added now! I am, of course, referring to the…
