A Hat-trick of Wins
Wednesday
Wednesday
must be the busiest day of the week by far - the day from Hell - for all those
who work at Westminster. Every minute seems taken up by some meeting,
appointment, engagement or vote!
Today is no
exception. I am privileged to be part of a talented opposition FCO team. This
week’s team meeting is followed by Labour’s weekly Lords’ Front Bench get-together.
Opposition can be frustrating – so it is great to be part of win #86
against the Government’s Lobbying Bill
on an amendment led by the Crossbencher, Bishop Richard Harries.
Thursday
An excellent
topical question by Lady Berridge on the Central African Republic crisis, but the
intervention of so many experts meant that time ran out but I was content not
to ask my question! Listened to part of the Future of the Civil Service debate
in which the Government was warned by ex-mandarins and others as to their
future conduct.
Friday
First piano
lesson since Christmas – I haven’t practiced nearly enough and there’s no chance
of fooling my excellent, chatty teacher, an ex-refugee from Sarajevo, who is now
a proud British Citizen. I will never be
a concert pianist, I but love it. Perhaps one day I might play a duet with Ed
Balls!
Saturday
Dull weather
does not prevent a lovely day spent with friends in Cambridge. Although I am
Oxford in all things, I must admit to being very impressed, as always, by the
city centre and the Fitzwilliam. The day was made even better by Leicester City
scraping a crucial away win at Leeds – going five points clear at the top. How
can one’s mood be affected in this way? I’m afraid that the answer is - all too
easily.
Sunday
A mixture of work and football. I continue to
have an abiding interest in Justice issues and particularly Legal Aid. Tomorrow
I have a Regret Motion on yet another ignorant and pointless cut in legal aid.
This time its target is Borderline Civil Cases that make it possible for our
law to remain living, relevant, and capable of change. Prepare speech all
morning and relax into armchair football later. Evening spent in compulsory
catch-up with Coronation Street. My one and only Soap guilty pleasure.
Monday
To London
early. FCO team meeting followed by a question on why no FCO Minister has
visited Gibraltar since 2011. Answer comes there none. Meanwhile Lords besieged
by photographers outside and journos inside, looking for developments in the
Rennard Affair. In a very Lords’ way no notice is taken. Late afternoon spent
keeping fit by running between Portcullis House, where i am part of an All
Party Inquiry into Youth Justice, and votes in the Lord’s Chamber.
My Regret Motion
comes on late and in spite of an impressive debut by the new Justice Minister, the
Government gets a well deserved kicking by very eminent retired Judges and
leading practising lawyers.
Tuesday
This week’s Hat-trick
of victories achieved with government defeat #87. Again a Bishop Harries’ led amendment carries the
House, attempting to put some sense into the Lobbying Bill. Back home to
Leicestershire in my capacity as Chair of the local Constituency Labour Party.
We kick off the procedure for selecting a Parliamentary Candidate for the 2015
General Election. An important moment as it reminds us how much is at stake for
our country and its place in the world.
To me at least this government has lowered Britain’s reputation as a civilised, fair, forward looking and open society. It is those without power and influence who are being picked on. This is particularly true in the field of Justice. All our work from now on is to ensure we win one of the most important General Elections in our lifetime.
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