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Friday, March 23, 2007

Galway Arts Centre

I have an invitation to speak at Ireland's Literary Festival because John Healy who wrote the Grass Arena - his life as a vagrant alcoholic - is going to do some readings from his book. I knew John when he was still roughing it around the Euston area of London and he gives me some generous thanks in the book.

Jonathan Manley of Routledge is bringing out a special private edition of The Grass Arena to coincide with John's visit. Check the site and see if you want to go.

http://www.galwayartscentre.ie/cuirt.htm

Sexual equality regulations

There was an excellent debate in the Lords last Wednesday. The regulations include the contentious issue of gay adoption. I won't go through the arguments as I think several of the speeches cover the views very well.

I was going to speak but Baroness Howarth of Breckland said everything I wanted to say about the adoption issue and Lord Smith (Chris Smith the ex cabinet minister) also made a powerful speech in favour. The best speech in my view came from Lord Alli - he made a very powerful point about religion and how it should not be allowed to discriminate and he drew on an example in the Koran - read it via the link below.

A good speech against was made by Lady O'Caithain who moved the amendment that was defeated. Her speech is at the beginning so you need to follow the Hansard pages backwards to find it.

I actually thought the vote had been lost because I could see so many going into the 'No' lobby - fortunately (imv) I was wrong.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200607/ldhansrd/text/70321-0013.htm

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

House of Lords reform

We have just finished the marathon two day debate on Lords reform. It was generally a good debate but I was worried by the number of Lords who not only don't want change but seem to think the only part of our constitution that needs changing is the House of Commons! Now I agree it does need changing but so does the Lords!

As the idea of a hybrid House (part elected and part appointed) has received such a bad press I thought I should focus my 8 minutes speaking time on that issue.

The voting takes place this afternoon. I predict a big majority for keeping things as they are. I will vote for change and post a link to the voting tomorrow.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200607/ldhansrd/text/70312-0017.htm

Friday, March 09, 2007

Black Heroes

I managed to see and greatly enjoy the performance of Black Heroes at the Hackney Empire. I had never been to the Hackney Empire before so that was a double pleasure. I recommend it.

http://www.voice-online.co.uk/content.php?show=10983

Mental Health Bill

We completed the third reading of the Mental Health Bill on Tuesday. It will now go to the Commons and won't come back to the Lords until the early summer.

I spoke briefly on the question of whether it is a good idea to put principles in a Bill. Generally I don't think it is but the Government had offered a concession to opponents in the form of putting principles in a code for mental health workers. That's not a bad compromise.

On the vexed issue of the over representation of certain ethnic minority groups receiving in patient treatment in psychiatrist hospitals I suggested (not for the first time) that the professions concerned get out and recruit and mentor in appropriate areas of the country. Getting a more balanced recruitment pattern particularly of psychiatrists is not going to happen without a major effort.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200607/ldhansrd/text/70306-0003.htm

Friday, March 02, 2007

2020 Vision

So what are we to make of Alan Milburn and Charles Clarke and their on-line debating chamber of 2020 vision?

It would be naive to think that neither Charles or Alan have an interest in a leadership contest or that they have reservations about Gordon Brown's leadership qualities but there is also a genuine desire by both of them to get a clearer view about Labour's future direction.

I think Gordon will make a very effective leader but I know there are uncertainties about him - there are with all future leaders. Gordon's great strength is his management of the economy. Contrary to popular opinion he is in a number of respects more new Labour then Tony Blair. He is a strong supporter of public private partnerships and a strong supporter of the Atlantic alliance.

He has a difficult balancing act to carry out at the moment. He is not yet Prime Minister and if he announces all his plans at this stage then it gives the advantage to Cameron who will be aware that his big challenge will come when Gordon takes over. So things are getting interesting but meanwhile do join the debate.

Thursday, March 01, 2007

Media and family courts

Allowing the media to report family court cases is a difficult area. Currently they have virtually no rights to report such cases and yet public confidence in the system is lacking. Some of the groups like Fathers for Justice make great play of the unfairness (in their view) of the system.

Unusually for me I suggested we include the Press Complaints Commission in the consultations. I don't have much confidence in them but it would be an opportunity for them to agree a more specific and demanding code around children's and family rights. Hope springs eternal...!

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200607/ldhansrd/text/70228-0002.htm

Gun crime

Youth facilities came up on Wednesday. I tried to indicate the importance of a co-ordinated response to gun crime and got it largely right but by saying "special educational needs" I did not mean to use that term in its usual way but rather in relation to skills training.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200607/ldhansrd/text/70228-0001.htm#07022855000008