I have been somewhat surprised to see media speculation that, in the light of tensions within the coalition, we could see the end of the coalition and ‘an early election’. Comparative experience suggests coalitions can survive internal tensions – as I pointed in a chapter on the subject, disharmony should not be confused with instability…
Lord Haskel who oftens puts posts on here talking of the importance of manufacturing led a useful debate last Thursday. I spoke of the importance of science and technology in the 6 minutes allocated to me. I wanted to draw attention to the rapidly expanding influence of nano technology and did so in the following…
Like many British, I am deeply ambivalent about the long term ‘European Project.’ My difficulty is that I see the value, indeed the imperative, of Britain being part of a United Europe in perhaps 30, 40, 50 years. I believe a politically united Europe is the only way our distinct culture will survive and thrive…
The death has just been announced of Sir Zelman Cowen, former Governor General of Australia, former Vice-Chancellor, former Provost of Oriel College Oxford, great constitutional lawyer and historian; widely regarded as a man of the utmost integrity, intellect and kindliness, no one had a bad word to say about him. I met him when he…
Whether as a result of political inexperience or fear of his own backbenchers David Cameron has marginalised the UK in Europe and that won’t be easily reversed. It poses a challenge to all British political parties and their leaders. The 26 EU members will create a much closer political and economic union and they can…
So the UK is now effectively sidelined from full membership of the EU and all with the (apparent) support of the Liberal Democrats. Extraordinary! I shall return to the issue – this is the point at which the UK has to decide what sort of relationship it wants with Europe and with the wider world.
On Wednesday 7th there was a brief diversion from the progress of the consideration of amendments to the Health and Social Care Bill. Baroness Thornton proposed a motion that the House should be able to see the risk register pertaining to the Bill. The Information Commissioner had ruled that it should be disclosed under the…
Some people have said that the Liberal Democrats must avoid becoming part of ‘the Establishment’ just because we are in Government. I couldn’t agree more. However, you will imagine my surprise and delight on discovering that part of the Establishment appears anyway to have joined the Liberal Democrats. The Facilities Department of the House of…
Today the EU Sub-Committee on the Internal Market, Energy and Transport published our report on the Channel Tunnel , entitled ‘Tunnel Vision?’ The report is the culmination of seven months of hard work, huge stimulation and some humorous moments. The members of the Committee have become railway enthusiasts and, indeed, experts! The Committee agreed to…
