The Ministerial Code, which has been in place since the Second World War, but only became public in 1992, sets out the rules and principles which outline the standards of conduct for government Ministers. It used to be the case that even a suggestion of impropriety would lead to a resignation, but under Johnson's premiership, … Continue reading Tories crack the Ministerial Code
I am proud to have written the motion on a fairer voting system that was recently adopted by ASLEF at their Annual Assembly of Delegates. However, in a democratic union like ASLEF, success is only achieved with the support of branch delegates from across the railway network. I am particularly grateful to my colleague who … Continue reading The push for PR gathers momentum
Along with many in the Labour Party, I felt a wave of contentment when reading the 2017 Labour Party manifesto. Finally, after many years where there was little more than a cigarette paper between the two main political parties, there was now clear water. The manifesto painted a vision of a society where the needs … Continue reading Divided we Fall
Dear Richard I am writing to you regarding the actions of Boris Johnson’s special adviser Dominic Cummings, the subsequent actions of Boris Johnson himself and the potential consequences of the actions of both. Although it will not be tested in Court it is clear to many, including those with considerable legal expertise, that Dominic Cummings … Continue reading An open letter re Johnson and Cummings
On Wednesday afternoon (27th May) Boris Johnson appeared in front of the Commons Liaison Committee. A Prime Minister normally appears in front of this committee around three times a year. This was Johnson's first appearance in front of it. To very loosely paraphrase his hero, never was so much revealed by someone saying so little … Continue reading Johnson reveals so much by saying so little
So overwhelming has been its effect, as it has reached into every nook and cranny of our daily lives, it's difficult to remember a time before Coronavirus. A few months on from a thumping election victory and apparently 'getting Brexit done', Johnson must be wistfully thinking whether he will ever see his sunlit uplands again. … Continue reading The beginning of the end for Boris?
It is said that most political careers inevitably end in failure. I seem to have turned this statement on its head and started my journey with a series of defeats! I've been reminded that it is a year since the local government elections. This made me reflect what a year it had been and how … Continue reading A turbulent year
On Monday I sent out an update to all Labour members across our local Labour Party in NE Bedfordshire. I realised that our day to day lives had changed monumentally since I previously sent out an update - just five weeks earlier. Further, and although seeming almost trivial in comparison to drama and tragedy of … Continue reading NE Beds CLP Chair’s Update
Laurence Fox's appearance on BBC Question Time certainly set off a social media debate on 'white privilege' and what it does or doesn't mean. As users of social media will be aware this rarely ends up with measured argument, where opinions are respectfully countered and true to form it didn't let us down in this … Continue reading White Privilege
The following blog post is a review of my experience as a Labour candidate during the June 2017 General Election. Over those thirty seven days I experienced many different emotions, and it is this aspect that I deal with, rather than policy matters, or the strategy of the campaign. Those who have been through an … Continue reading Candidate
