Coffee House The Spectator Blog
Reform human rights to save human rights
The European Convention of Human Rights is developed and interpreted as times change; but is there a democratic imbalance when only lawyers and judges can do this? Particularly where the… Continue reading
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Allegations of cunning play over final passage of Justice and Security bill
There have been angry mutterings from the backbenches today about the passage of the Justice and Security Bill last night, with allegations of cunning play by the whips. It appears… Continue reading
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Tory loyalists strike back
Lynton Crosby spoke to Tory MPs this evening about the imporance of party discipline. With the Chief Whip in the chair, meetings of the Tory parliamentary party are normally fairly… Continue reading
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Exclusive: Clegg ignored a sexual harassment complaint about a SECOND Lib Dem
In this week’s Spectator, Julie Bindel explores the culture of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ in Parliament. Her piece, “Carry on Westminster”, makes a number of revelations about the way parliamentarians behave towards… Continue reading
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Stop blaming judges, Ms May, and repeal the Human Rights Act
The latest session in May versus Judges over foreign criminals’ right to family life (Article 8 of the European Convention) is running as prescribed. Theresa May used the Sunday papers to demand that judges follow… Continue reading
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Why should MPs stay put in the Palace of Westminster?
Tristram Hunt paints a bleak picture of the state the Palace of Westminster is in for Spectator readers this week as he draws parallels between the crumbling parliament building in… Continue reading
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Aide to Europe minister calls for Parliament to beef up its engagement with EU
Another day, another paper by a Tory MP about Britain’s relationship with Europe. Except the latest paper, by Tobias Ellwood for think tank Open Europe, is actually not so much… Continue reading
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In defence of the CofE’s House of Laity
Even friends of an Established church like myself – though I’m a Catholic – should think twice about the wisdom of the idea after the naked political interference in the… Continue reading
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How easy would it be to withdraw from the European Court of Human Rights?
As James says, the prisoner votes row will return to parliament before lunch today. The government is expected to offer the Commons three choices: The retention of the blanket ban,… Continue reading
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Where does power lie? Or where should power lie?
Iain Martin has written a cracking piece for the Telegraph entitled: ‘The coming battle with the EU is about sovereignty.’ Iain recommends a new play, 55 Days, which tells the… Continue reading
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David Cameron must rule out votes for prisoners at PMQs
The issue of prisoner votes has turned into a question of trust between David Cameron and his backbenchers. Most Tory MPs well remember that the Prime Minister’s initial intention was… Continue reading
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Keep our MPs in the Commons bear pit
The idea of closing the House of Commons for five years will, I suspect, be popular with those who see in this a chance to move the MPs to a… Continue reading
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Be careful what you wish for, Bercow plotters
Tory MPs are plotting to oust Speaker Bercow, the Sun on Sunday reports today. They are apparently furious that Bercow allowed Chris Bryant to brand Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt a… Continue reading
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Danger in the Lords
Opponents of an elected House of Lords have been flexing their muscles in the last few days. Yesterday, Archie Hamilton, a Tory peer and former chairman of the 1922 Committee,… Continue reading
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Winsor — the outsider
In nominating the lawyer and former rail regulator Tom Winsor as her choice to be the next chief inspector of constabulary, the home secretary has stoked more discontent among the… Continue reading
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Theresa May and the right to family life
Theresa May has been in the news recently, as she introduces plans to stop spouses coming to Britain unless they have savings of £18,000 and an additional £2,400 for each… Continue reading
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Clarke goes OTT
Today’s award for hyperbole goes to Ken Clarke. He has just told the Leveson inquiry that, ‘The power of the press is far greater than the power of parliament.’ Given… Continue reading
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The expenses spotlight falls on Baroness Warsi
If David Cameron had a list of headlines he doesn’t want to see, I’m sure ‘Top Tory in expenses scandal’ would be near the top of it. Yet that’s what… Continue reading
45 CommentsCameron loses his rag
Ed Balls succeeded in getting David Cameron to lose his rag at PMQs today. The shadow Chancellor sledged the PM throughout the session, apparently asking him how many glasses of… Continue reading
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