Newslog

Newslog is Nick Robinson's ongoing diary through the week's news. Add your comments at the bottom of the page.

----------------------------------------
Friday 14 December

Lords show teeth
posted by Nick | 0904GMT | Add comment
Well, well. The "STOP Rushdie" law has bitten the dust and Parliament's shown its teeth. Once the government has reformed (neutered?) the Lords and modernised (neutered?) the Commons, could it happen again? I'm interviewing Robin Cook on On the Record this weekend - let's see what he says. (On the Record site here...)

----------------------------------------
Thursday 13 December

Something's afoot
posted by Nick | 1519GMT | Add comment
I smell a deal in the air. Never mind "ping ponging", there's been much to-ing and fro-ing in the past 24 hours.

Look out for compromises between the parties - no judicial review of the proposed internment powers but a tribunal with the same powers, no sunset clause on the Bill but a review which can kill certain powers.

A question mark still hangs over whether David Blunkett is really determined to hang on to his proposed "stop Salman Rushdie" law which would outlaw incitment to religious hatred. Is he serious or is he bluffing? My guess (never put guesses down in black and white, you fool!) is that he's bluffing and will pull it and bring it back another time.

--------------------

Late night debating
posted by Nick | 0945GMT | Add comment
Time to put cynicism aside though. The sight of the Commons and the Lords staying up half the night arguing about the government's proposed new anti-terrorism laws may look absurd - the word "pingpong" to describe this process hardly helps. But this is our lawmakers arguing seriously about things that really matter. Time perhaps to listen to what they say rather when they say it. (Sorry - world weary cynicism will return!) (More details here...)

----------------------------------------
Wednesday 12 December

Liquid news?
posted by Nick | 1256GMT | Add comment
"Bring politics in line with the real world"...."Help MPs lead normal family lives" ..."Get Parliament onto the lunchtime news"...All reasons articulated for changing MPs' hours so that debates begin in the morning and don't go on through the night. The reason I hear around the bars of Westminster - which is never spoken on the record - is to get MPs asking questions before they become "tired and emotional" after their long working (sic) lunches. (More details here...)

----------------------------------------
Monday 10 December

NEWS: Paul Marsden leaves Labour
posted by Nick | 1725GMT | Add comment
So farewell then Paul. Few people know who you are but you may yet become an icon. "The MP who wouldn't be spun or bullied" they may say. And you got your 15 minutes of fame. Can't help feeling it might end there though. (More details here...)

------------------
Come and have a go...
posted by Nick | 1308GMT | Add comment
David Blunkett's clearly determined to wrestle (and I use that word advisedly) Ken Clarke's "heavyweight ministerial bruiser"'s belt from him.

It was said of Clarke that he could not see an interest group without crossing the road to pick a fight with them - a description which I feel sure our home secretary would regard as a great compliment.

This weekend he added "the politically correct" to the police, lawyers, and peers who were the enemy. Downing Street praised him this morning for opening an important debate but couldn't answer my innocent question - just what has genital mutilation and forced marriage got to do with rioting in Oldham? Any answers gratefully received. (More details here...)

----------------------------------------

You can add your comment or question by using the form below.