Following Select Committees

Departmental Select Committees have come a long way since they were established in the late 1970s - I've enjoyed following their progress. If you want information about an issue - Committee Reports are an excellent source. There are good links via https://www.parliament.uk/about/how/committees/select/ Attendance in person is possible at Westminster - but getting cheap train tickets is difficult because of the starting times. Living in Milton Keynes means pre-purchasing a very early morning ticket, or getting a coach, also at an ungodly hour - and hanging around in the Westminster area before entering by the visitos entrance. If you do go - make sure you know where the hearing is being held. Some require entrance into Portcullis House (facing the river), whilst some are via the main visitors entrance opposite Westminster Abbey. Be prepared to queue! Thankfully live & recorded broadcasts are available at https://www.parliamentlive.tv/Commons https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwi18-Gc5rP_AhV9TkEAHRiBBL0Q1bUFegQIHBAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alamy.com%2Fstock-photo%2Fselect-committee.html&usg=AOvVaw1A6KO8X4ikeaOmn18JT4fa

A New Look, a New Focus

When I began this blog, back at the turn of the century, I was a Lecturer in Law; and also in British & European Politics & Government. Additionally I worked at Westminster - first for a couple of MPs and latterly for two members of the House of Lords. I had been a Parliamentary Candidate twice (Blaby 2001, 2005). Subsequently I stood for Parliament in 2019 in the neighboring constituency (to my home in Milton Keynes) of Buckingham. I am now fully retired. Much has changed since I kept this blog on a regular basis. I'm older, hopefully a bit wiser. I've done some more broadcasting, but now am pretty free to do whatever I want. I grow increasing concerned at the direction that politics in Britain (and in other parts of the World) have taken. I used to love political campaigning - and have campaigned frequently in the UK and the USA. You can read previous posts describing those activities and my observations. Campaigning has developed as academics have researched into the effectiveness of different tools and tactics. My fear is that Political Consultants, and Politicians themselves, have learnt what works - but without considering the consequences. Naked manipulation has become the order of the day - but its effectiveness has declined. Today we are less trusting, less sympathetic to what our representatives do - sometimes with good cause. We have more opportunity to express our views - but have less influence in decision making. I started reading Andrew Blick and Peter Hennessy's "The Bonfire of the Decencies" this morning. they begin by saying "Our central thesis is that mechanisms for the upholding of constitutional principles in the United Kingdom are deficient and require an overhaul." Written Constitutions, with Separation of Powers, are failing in other countries too - the USA is a case in point. But France may see a lurch towards right wing authoritarian government in the next elections - some member states of the EU already have leaders who have little respect for democracy. Can the tide be turned? Or is Democracy destined to die a painful death? I remain optimistic. We have fought for rights and freedoms in the past. It won't be pleasant or comfortable - but it can be done. what can we learn from the struggles of our ancestors? The "New" Washminster will look at how institutions are changing, and at how we can learn from the struggles of previous centuries. I value your observations and suggestions. Let's engage in conversations about how we can attain a better future. David