For the Telegraph, Fraser Nelson asks, Will Michael Gove’s schools revolution be just another false start? He sets out a crucial problem in education: David Cameron’s problem is not that Michael Gove might be run over by a bus. His problem is, this weekend, that quite a few mothers wouldn’t mind if he […]
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The Intelligence and Security Committee should have an elected Chair
Earlier today, I moved amendments tabled by Andrew Tyrie MP to make provision for an elected chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee which scrutinises MI5, MI6 and GCHQ. At present, the ISC is a Government committee of parliamentarians. The Bill makes it a Parliamentary committee whose members are appointed by the […]
Read MoreVia City A.M. – Boris on Starbucks and DC on judicial review
On the cover of City A.M. this morning, Boris Johnson argues that Starbucks must do more for the UK. Apparently, the Mayor said of Starbucks, “It needs to reflect very fast and very seriously on its position…Either it makes a change in its tax arrangements or does a lot more […]
Read MoreThe banking inquiry: judges apply the law, MPs make it
On BBC News 24 at 3pm today, I was asked about the debate over whether to have a Parliamentary or a judge-led inquiry into banking. I made the point that judges apply the law and MPs make it. (In relation to banking, we are far beyond matters of judge-made common […]
Read MoreWriting for The Express, Stephen Pollard backs my Bill to make bankers responsible
Via Express.co.uk – Make the bankers personally liable for risks they take, Stephen Pollard backs my bill to make bankers responsible for their own actions: This isn’t capitalism – it is taxpayer-guaranteed gambling. It is basic human nature that only when people are held responsible for their actions do they act responsibly. […]
Read MoreBetter Healthcare in Bucks consultation: The local NHS response
The NHS in Buckinghamshire has given its response to the Better Healthcare in Bucks public consultation. The headline breakthrough is that the Board reviewed public feedback and decided that the new minor injuries and illness service in Wycombe must be available 24/7 to meet the needs of patients out of hours. […]
Read MoreNHS management pays over the odds with tax payers’ money
A recent Telegraph article reported that the NHS is paying “extortionate” prices for basic computer equipment and services. It showed that the NHS buys computer equipment at an average 28% more than wholesale prices. This is a shocking misuse of tax payers’ money and shows that the state is often […]
Read MoreBanking: from Goldman Sachs to David Fishwick?
Two days ago, Greg Smith, a Goldman Sachs executive director, resigned in sensational fashion, writing a column in the New York Times. In the article, he laid out the reasons for his resignation, citing the change in culture at the firm over the ten years he worked there. He wrote, […]
Read MoreEarly Day Motions: an update
After the debate on EDMs last month, the Procedure Committee have now accepted that EDMs are not functioning in the way they were intended and that the cost of reproducing them on paper is considerable. Therefore, they have decided to conduct a short study on EDMs over the next year. This is […]
Read MoreThree favourites among the Government’s regulation clear out
N.B. This post is written by my Parliamentary Intern, Ralph Buckle. The Government’s Red Tape Challenge has been progressing well and more details have emerged about the 600 regulations that are already due to be scrapped or improved. They make for some interesting reading and range from the completely redundant […]
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