A taught political battle culminated last Monday when the Lords gave a crushing blow to the Government’s plans to detain terrorism suspects for 42 days. Peers, myself included, voted against the measure by 309 votes to 118 – the biggest loss since hereditary peers were forced to give up their seats in 1999. Those who…
The Counter-Terrorism Bill completed its Committee stage in the Lords on Tuesday. The proceedings included the removal of the clauses providing for ministers to determine that some inquests be held in secret. Lord Lester of Herne Hill, a member of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, spoke to outline some of the objections that would be…
Tony Benn was briefly a reluctant member of the second chamber (the 2nd Viscount Stansgate) and has been a longstanding critic of the unelected second chamber. He is, as has been widely reported, supporting David Davis in the Haltemprice and Howden by-election because of his vehement opposition to the proposal for 42-days pre-charge detention. I…
The House of Commons has voted for the provision to enable terrorist suspects to be held for up to 42 days without charge. Though its majority was reduced, the Government nonetheless achieved a majority to get it through. Opinion polls show a majority of the public supporting the provision. One poll also shows that more people think…
Both chambers will be busy on Wednesday. There will be the usual Prime Ministers’ Questions in the Commons and the House will be debating the Government’s proposal for 42 days’ detention without charge. The Lords will be debating the EU (Amendment) Bill and important votes are expected, not least on the issue of a referendum.…
