The work of the House of Lords should not be confused with sittings of the House. A great deal of work takes place in committees – indeed, committee work can be much more time consuming that participating in debates in the chamber – and in peers’ offices. Committee work entails not only attending meetings but…
Matt asked in response to my last post what I thought of the regional structure originally invented by the Conservative Government as economic development areas. These were established on the colonial principle that they would represent central Government in the regions. It seemed to me patently crazy to install bodies whose responsibility was economic development, without…
Some of those who have commented on our posts have asked to know more about us as individuals. Some of my colleagues are infinitely more interesting than I am. For anyone who is vaguely interested, I thought I would try to list ten things about me, so here goes. 1. Academic. 2. Total politics anorak…
Various people who have commented on our posts have asked for a diary piece or some indication of what we do. Here’s my diary for yesterday and today. Wednesday. Tube to Golders Green for a 9.00 a.m. talk to talk to Y11 students at King Alfred School on the role of the House of Lords.…
I couldn’t resist intervening on Monday. There was a question put down by Lord Steinberg about manufacturing industry. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200708/ldhansrd/text/80331-0001.htm#0803317000004 As there is no speaker to call you to speak as in the Commons, members of the Lords just have to push and shove – most delicately of course! Baroness Wall wanted to emphasise how well the…
Yesterday evening I attended the Chamber for the Report Stage of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill . On one matter I had read about and discussed an issue with crossbench colleagues, and was pretty sure I was going to vote for an opposition amendment about suspended sentences. Everyone wants suspended sentences and community sentences to become…
Tom has made an interesting comment in response to my posting about reconnecting with the public. He says, rightly, that Britain should employ the principle of subsidiarity – that is taking decisions at the lowest possible level, closest to the people they effect – in its governance. I couldn’t agree more. The United Kingdom is…
It may be too early to talk about the return of democracy in Zimbabwe – but one thing is certain: people when acting together can and do overturn even the most entrenched dictatorship. There have been constant questions and debates in the Chamber about Zimbabwe most notably by Lord Blaker who has kept alive concern…
A working sunday for me today, preparing for speaking at the 2nd National Conference on Palliative Care next thursday morning about my support for legislative change to permit medically assisted dying for the terminally ill. At present many palliative care physicians, unlike over 80% of the general public, are against the idea and I know I…
