Today, Lord Collins of Highbury asked a question about how the Government was responding to the rapidly growing number of people with diabetes. I used the question to draw attention to the report that I launched today on “Keeping people with diabetes out of hospital.” The report was drawn up through a series of meetings…
I am now seriously worried about a return to the 1930’s. The Greek decision might have worked some months ago although even then it would have been difficult. The decision to have a referendum on the bailout will throw the Euro into uncertainty and turbulence. It is just possible that the Greek people can be…
It looks like the demonstrators at St Pauls are going to bring down the Church before the system! The challenge by the demonstrators strikes at the heart of one of the key Christian stories about Jesus throwing the money lenders out of the Temple. It may not be the same but it has enough of a ring to resonate and…
Last Thursday in the Lords I led a debate on the the Impact of Government policy on Family Budgets. It was a good debate although it would have been nice to hear from some other benches than the Labour ones, but second debates on a Thursday afternoon are often not popular. When I was winding…
Most people who watch me on television or read about me know I am a Lord, but very few people actually know what that is or what the House of Lords does in this country. Even when people do know what it is about they think it is a closed shop, full of lots of…
As I have detailed in a post on my own blog, it has been one of those weeks. (Mind you, most weeks are.) I returned today from a conference on Gendered Ceremony and Ritual in Parliament and am in the process of catching up on paperwork. I fear a consequence has been that I have…
I am pleased to see that the government is going to legislate to ensure that the first born child of a monarch succeeds to the throne in the future, and that sons and daughters will be equal in that respect. If the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge have a girl first, she will be Queen…
The extent of the government rebellion last night surprised me. It was bigger than I expected. The imposition of a three line whip was a mistake – especially when Conservative MP’s are going through re selection on new boundaries. The local Party’s are still deeply anti EU in its present form. Conservative MP’s will also…
This picture and story is for anyone who can’t be bothered voting. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/oct/23/tunisians-flock-to-vote-free-elections A Palestinian Party member in my old constituency was close to tears when he voted for the first time in his life having gained British nationality – rather like the woman in the story. I have acted as an international observer in…
