What is a UK company when it comes to jobs, intellectual property and paying UK taxes? The minister says that 97% of Crossrail contracts are based in the UK. Consultant Martin Blaiklock suggests the figure is 27%. This is something to explore when we are next allowed to put down Written questions in the Lords…
The so-called “Silly Season” seems endless in Westminster. The sad death last month of my Liberal Democrat colleague Lord (Robert) Methuen – alongside whom I often shared the furthest backbench corner seat and enjoyed his erudite company – has sparked the most ludicrous farce. Let me explain. An official green four-page notice, announcing the resulting…
I would understand if the idea of a Tory politician walking a 1000 miles for charity were to be greeted by gestures of fingers pointing to the back of the throat or twizling around the temple area of the head. At the risk of testing the patience of the public and colleagues still further I…
Lords to meet the people – a plan to give the public an opportunity to question members of the House of Lords
Regular bog followers will know that in summer recess I am usually in Tuscany, Italy, where everyone will be delighted to know that the weather is worse than in the UK, the worst summer here since 1960. (Good for the olives though). But following the dramas of Italian politics is as addictive as ever, not…
The House last night voted by 177 votes to 29 in support of a motion by Baroness Boothroyd that welcomed Baroness Stowell as Leader of the House, but regretted the decision of the PM to diminish the standing of the House by not making her a full member of Cabinet and requesting him to reconsider…
“Gulen on Dialogue” by Frances Sleap and Omer Sener – 33 pages plus large bibliography – pub 2014 (Hizmet Studies)ISBN 978 0 9929312 0 9 – www.HizmetStudies.org This new pamphlet in a semi-hard cover deserves serious study and wide distribution. Hizmet is a Turkish word meaning service, to the world and to one’s neighbour. It…
In the last two weeks I have spoken twice on the Assisted Dying Bill (2nd Reading) and on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The first attracted 123 speakers and the second, shorter one, 23. The allowed speaking time was 4 minutes for the first, and 5 for the second. Both debates were well-informed and thoughtful.…
