Reflections - An interview with SPVR

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There are Good Arguments, and Bad

Let me first report that a family dispute has broken out. Good news—no blood spilt. We agreed that I would acknowledge to being wrong. Contrary to my statement earlier that suggested that my wife could do without milk in her tea, we have agreed that it is indispensable, necessary, an absolutely vital part of her life, without which very serious consequences will follow. Yesterday's Parliamentary debate on the Coronovirus Bill, only very occasionally descended to that level. One member was rebuked—quite gently—by the Presiding Officer for a not very funny "joke" directed at one of the Parliament's smaller parties. He rather feebly responded that he had previously used the same joke without criticism. That was closed down simply—by a look. And the debate moved on. Parliament was working to a common purpose, but the Government was properly being challenged and held to account. Inevitably in a wide-ranging Bill drawn up through several overnight sessions, there were gaps ...

Preparation

Yesterday I wrote about preparing for the week ahead. Now we have just completed the last meeting of the Environment Committee before recess. That too was forward-looking. We have about 25 more weeks sitting before we depart Parliament for the 2021 election which will determine who will serve in Session 6. I have had the privilege and enormous pleasure of serving in the first five sessions since we resumed after being prorogued in 1707. But now my mind turns to reviewing the past and planning for the future. As I will be 75 next year, I will be handing over to a successor. But I also need a short term plan for our much-abbreviated summer recess. We will come back when the schools resume in the week starting 11th August and will have a Parliamentary meeting every week until then. But no Committees. So a wee bit of space to pick up some much neglected personal interests. But no vacation booked. The first of these has to involve my main hobby - family research. There's been qu...

Local Matters

I start my day at about 0600 most mornings. Porridge, fruit and a cup of black tea are prepared and sit on my study desk. Alternating between their having my attention and my reading the world's media. That extends from the four local papers which target areas in my constituency to some of our national papers, London-based dailies and a few international titles. A good and honest media are a vital part of a fair society. That doesn't mean that I object to papers having an editorial view of the political world which is not my own as long as they are honest about the view they hold or even advocate for. If I had my way, and I don't expect to any time soon, I would require a statement of their political philosophy to be carried on the front page immediately below their mastheads. But, you might say, surely most readers know how their daily reading materials align with their views. Perhaps, perhaps not. I have this recollection, one of many things I can't immediately ...

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