It is time for party games as the party conference season is in full swing. The House of Lords is not yet due to resume, ostensibly in order to allow space to attend the party conferences in September, but I would be surprised if attendance from peers is that high. Certainly we crossbenchers have no…
As we go through the Party Conference season there has been a lot of comment in the press about declining Party Member attendance at the Party Conferences – their places being taken by lobbyist, pressure groups and other inhabitants of the Westminster Village. I think the newspapers have overlooked one essential point – – the…
There are certain office holders who, on completion of office, are usually offered peerages. However, with one or two exceptions, such as former Prime Ministers, the offer is not guaranteed. Most former Cabinet ministers are usually offered peerages, but not all have been, or not all have accepted. There are several recent examples of former Cabinet…
Friday September 21st is the UN International Day of Peace and around the world individuals and organisations are reaching out in peace. This of course may not be immediately apparent from a glance at the media which has rightly soberly covered the many instances of violence and conflict in our society and around world, but is there not…
There are few things that make me more angry than waste, especially when I see waste of resources generously donated to assist those struggling to live with the daily challenge of extreme poverty. But lazy thinking by people who should know better comes close. Earlier this week, Lord Ashcroft wrote an open letter to…
Should Parliament close for up to five years so that it can be thoroughly renovated? There is a lot to be said for it. The whole building is looking tired, although it is still a magnificent building to spend time in. But it is not good for disabled people, although everyone does their best for…
Those of you who are active followers of English cricket (certain members of my office included) will have been transfixed by the ongoing dispute over text messages that Kevin Pietersen reportedly sent to his South African opponents. Pietersen was immediately dropped from the Test side, was not included in the One Day Internationals against South…
It has not been a quiet August and September for me. I presented the Review that I have undertaken for the governement of the Charities Act 2006 to Parliament on July 16 – the last day before the House of Commons rose for the recess. It has been a nine month task invoving 6 seminars out of London,…
The Paralympic Games were a triumph for Great Britain – not only in terms of sporting ability, but in opening the public’s eyes to the talent, skills and capability of disabled people. The challenge now is to build on the progress made Streamers, fireworks, balloons and parading athletes have gone. Vanished from view, the Olympic…
