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Secrecy, injunctions and the rule of lawCourt secrecy and injunctions act to undermine the rule of law.What is interesting in the courts at the moment is the revelation that many of the injunctions that were granted should not, in fact, been granted. A number of these were granted on the basis of allegations that were untrue and have not been substantiated.One of the problems with secret... |
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Movember 17 Days in…
After last year’s success, I am pleased to say that I am once again raising money for Movember by once again growing a moustache. Last year some people thought I’d grown it as a fashion statement so this … Continue reading →...
Fuel Prices
The link is to yesterday's debate on fuel prices. I raised my concern that we need to look at the issue of all energy prices in a scarce environment.I think the idea of having a quota of cheap fossil hydrocarbon would be a sensible way forward as part of an international plan to manage demand and keep...
Protecting children from smoke in cars
Two reports out today have sparked a debate on how best to protect children from the affects of adults smoking in cars. The cross party group that I chair has called for government consultation on the various options. The BMA, the doctors’ union, thinks the answer is a total ban on any smoking...
Tackling homophobic bullying through education
Earlier this week I listened to one of the most moving speeches I’ve ever heard. Bereaved parent Roger Crouch told a silent audience at the Speaker’s apartments about the suicide of his 15 year old son Dominic. He’d taken his own life by throwing himself off a car park roof after...
Brussels hysteria and Bristol reality
Last week the Westminster bubble expanded with a lot of hot air about Britain’s future in the European Union. The current crop of Conservative MPs has a Eurosceptic majority, with a substantial hard core advocating complete withdrawal . They form a curious alliance with the left of the Labour party,...
The Greek non-referendum
The cancellation of the Greek referendum is not surprising. It is, however, a good example of an issue where a government really has no choice.The problem is that if the alternative route had been taken then at a point people would not have been paid and the problem would be much bigger. Many people...
Family Justice Review
Unsurprisingly, for a panel dominated by people who run the family justice system and without representation from those who go through it, the Family Justice Review has essentially defended the status quo with a few cost saving tweaks....
Cash is King – and Greece
The Greek referendum will be an interesting exercise. At some point the Greek government runs out of cash. After that point no-one gets paid. I suppose they can start by holding back on big payments, but after a point salaries are not paid, pensions are not paid, suppliers are not paid.Cash becomes...
Press release on trauma centres
This is worth repeating for information:High quality emergency trauma care moves one step closer The introduction of a regional trauma care system that will see people who suffer major trauma injuries get access to the best possible emergency trauma care moved one step closer today, following the decision...
The Robin Hood Tax (aka Stamp Duty)
Using the name "Robin Hood Tax" is misleading because it implies that it is a new tax.The UK has had a Financial Transaction Tax for many years. It is called Stamp Duty. The logic is quite simple. For transactions in shares to have any merit then there has to be a legal system. People should pay...
Chancellor confirms action on tax avoidance
Chancellor George Osborne confirmed to me at today’s Treasury Questions that the Coalition Government is cracking down on various tax avoidance schemes. The Treasury team of ministers answer questions from MPs each month. As co-chair of the Lib Dem Treasury and Business Parliamentary Committee...
Sir Simon Milton
The bells of Westminster Abbey pealed as the Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate the Life and Work of Sir Simon Milton came to an end. I met Simon at a banquet at the Mansion House years ago when I was a London Assembly Member on the GLA. Having looked at the seating arrangements and found who was sitting...
Pinkham Way – the (Liberal Democrat) response to the consultation
We (local residents, Pinkham Way Alliance, the three local MPs: Theresa Villiers, David Burrowes and myself, Liberal Democrats on Haringey Council (ably led by Cllr Juliet Solomon) and others are all fighting against plans to build a giant waste processing plant at Pinkham Way. Haringey Council were...
The European Union and Project Creep
There was a good example of Project Creep at one of the European Scrutiny Committees this week.There is a proposal for the EU to develop its own criminal law and prosecutory apparatus. This, which we can opt out of anyway, is a good example of project creep.Matters relating to the various European Bodies...
