House Magazine Article Archive

Select committees: What's next on the agenda?

Sam Macrory assesses whether select committees need further powers or are already equipped to fulfil their potential

Conscience of the coalition

The Lib Dems may be the junior coalition partner but their contribution can still be leveraged for maximum electoral advantage, says Lord Rennard.

Electoral registration - good housekeeping?

As MPs debate individual voter registration this afternoon, Sam Macrory says it hasn't been a headline-grabber but reform of electoral registration is in the air

Green power - Caroline Lucas MP

Last year Caroline Lucas made history as Britain's first Green MP – and has been rewriting the rulebook on parliamentary party protocol ever since

The drama & the diligence: Justine Greening

Ahead of her first appearance before the Commons transport select committee, House Magazine's Sam Macrory takes a looks at Justine Greening’s parliamentary career

Tunnel vision

In an interview with the House Magazine, health secretary Andrew Lansley explains that his full political focus is on securing the long-term health of the NHS.

A whole new train set

As the first Treasury select committee chairman to have the satisfaction of an electoral mandate, Andrew Tyrie has hit the ground running – and is fast making up for missing out on a ministerial post with a gleaming set of alternative levers of power.

Business in the community: Nice guys finish first

Baroness Coussins says corporate citizenship is as important as individual citizenship and smart companies recognise corporate social responsibility as a mainstream business driver.

Big ideas on the big society

Aidan Burley MP points to a charity in his constituency which is putting Big Society ideas into practice.

A local landmark

Coalition bust-ups make the headlines but harmony reigns in other policy areas, says Sam Macrory – nowhere more so than localism, where minister Greg Clark has been quietly drafting a bill that he hopes will be revolutionary in its rebalancing of power

Nuclear research: Culham need not fear carbon cuts

John Howell MP sets out the case for nuclear fusion research.

Should nuclear play a bigger part in the future energy mix?

Stephen Mosley MP says rather than debating its necessity, attention should be focused on how to maximise the benefits of nuclear energy, simultaneously reducing its risk.

Making the shift by energy thrift

Lord Teverson says the one vital ingredient missing from the face of the Energy Bill is local government.

Why Cancun marks a turning point

Lord Hunt of Chesterton says last December's climate summit acknowledged that current global environmental conditions cannot be preserved, countries must prepare for monumental changes

Are free schools socially divisive?

Lisa Nandy MP and Angie Bray MP set out the argument for and against free schools.

Extra revision required

Graham Stuart MP looks forward to his constituted Education committee looking afresh at education - and in particular the lack of support for youngsters on leaving school.

Women teachers face pensions 'double whammy'

Dame Anne Begg MP argues that a pensions 'double whammy' is hitting women teachers.

Putting parents back in the driving seat

Penny Mordaunt MP says parents of children with special educational needs should be allowed to have more involvement in decisions affecting their families.

Lady Hayman gets her voice back

Lady Helene Hayman was the first peer elected to hold the post of Lord Speaker. After five years she is preparing to step down. She spoke to Sam Macrory

Speaking up for the Lords

Baroness D'Souza speaks to Sam Macrory about taking on the role as Lords Speaker as the government presses ahead with plans to introduce an elected second chamber.

A question of powers

The Parliament Act turns 100 this summer – at a time when debate over the respective powers of the two Houses is drowned out by argument over the composition of the Lords, finds Sam Macrory.

Facing the music with a new partner?

Having alienated their grass roots and with alarm bells sounding on the economy, the Lib Dems will have a crucial strategic decision to take in the second half of the parliament, says Lord Owen.

The Chiltern gap

It’s a north-south issue but not a simple left-right one – and the strife over high-speed rail within the Conservative Party is pitting the wealthy shires against recession-hit metropolitan areas hungry for growth, finds Sam Macrory.

Time for direct public access?

Parliamentary ombudsman Ann Abraham explains the background to her new Direct Access public consultation, which calls for views on the removal of the ‘MP Filter’ – the requirement for parliamentary complaints to be referred to the parliamentary ombudsman by an MP.

Road sense with a back seat driver

The compromises of coalition notwithstanding, the U-turns now bedevilling this government are a symptom of flawed policymaking, says Lord Tebbit.

The Conservative voice

Unburdening himself to a radio DJ last week, the prime minister suggested the Tories are ready to offer a clear alternative to their coalition partners, says Sam Macrory.

New axis to grind

Now in his 70s but showing no sign of slowing down, Lord Ashdown tells Sam Macrory that while the role of the Lib Dems in government brings him pride, the global situation keeps him awake at nights – and obliges us to reconsider our place in the world.

Indefensible, yet indispensable

It shouldn’t work, but it does, says David Davis – the Lords continues to act as a key backstop to an overweening Executive. And while not against reform, he advises proceeding with the utmost caution.

Crisis, what crisis?

The story of the last few months for Labour is its far-reaching policy review and an impressive recovery in Wales, insists Peter Hain – not the tales of discord peddled by the media, nor of simmering discontent with the party’s new leader.

The dig's only just started

The payment of compensation to a few celebrities after the phone-hacking scandal does not absolve Parliament, police or the PCC of the responsibility to continue their enquiries, says Tom Watson

Duty bound budget

The government has reaffirmed a pledge to increase aid spending to 0.7 per cent of national income. International development minister Alan Duncan tells Sam Macrory why this is justified at a time when most other departments are dealing with budget cuts

Referendums 'should be banned'

Denis MacShane wonders whether the time has come to ban referendums.

The summer scramble

The fate of several high-profile figures could be determined in the short window that remains before the summer recess, says Sam Macrory.

Everyone learns from a long rally

Parliamentary sovereignty and the rule of law are principles which must be adhered to, says Tony Wright, and if MPs and judges have a frank exchange of views on press freedoms, then so be it.

Responsibility as well as freedom

A packed and controversial media agenda gives the government a golden opportunity to act decisively to strengthen a free press that acts in the public interest, says the communications committee chair Lord Fowler.

Adhocracy attack

A year after losing ministerial office, Hilary Benn is relishing his role as shadow leader of the Commons – and, he tells Sam Macrory, gearing up for the coming battle over Lords reform.

Fire aplenty, brimstone lite

As befits the son of a fearsome loyalist pastor, Ian Paisley Jr has no shortage of fire in his belly. The rhetoric may be less incendiary, but his father’s footsteps have led to Westminster.

A Conservative spring?

The results of last week’s votes will have emboldened David Cameron, but recent history shows that a party can be vulnerable when it is in the ascendant, writes Richard Hall.

All eggs in one basket

The Lib Dems had a good story to tell at the local elections, says Lord Steel, but no-one was listening – and now the party’s future will be dictated by the performance of the economy.

Lords 'unnecessarily quaint'

Proposals to slay some sacred cows in the Lords are likely to unsettle the more traditional elements of the House.

Reworked game plan

With the referendum on electoral reform taking place this Thursday, a campaign which began slowly has finally intensified to near fever pitch. Ahead of the vote, Sam Macrory sets out the key questions which will follow either result.

Accountability has a way to go

Select committee elections should be only the start, says Michael Meacher – parliamentary inquiries, top appointments and more scrutiny functions should all now be democratised.

Is the government right to commit extra aid to Pakistan?

Should the government commit extra aid to Pakistan? Conservative MPs Rehman Chishti and Philip Davies disagree.

Lib Dems will survive AV defeat

Even if the ballot papers confirm a referendum reverse and election losses, do not expect the Liberal Democrats to go into meltdown, writes Richard Hall.

Pragmatism or principle?

As the voting system referendum approaches – and as the debate continues to focus on party politics rather than the issue at stake – Sam Macrory speaks to some of the prominent figures in the two camps.

The real line in the sand

However much we wish to empower the Libyan rebels, writes Sir Menzies Campbell, Iraq and Afghanistan teach us that UN legitimacy has to be the watchword.

Military MPs worry about Libya action

Is Nato the rebel airforce? Sam Macrory finds major reservations about the intervention in Libya among some MPs who have seen military action themselves.

Cruel fate of gentle folk

A visit to Japan with nuclear industry representatives turns into a close-up view of disaster for Lord O’Neill.

No-fly zones: lessons from the 1990s

Air Commodore (retd) Dr Peter Gray assesses the no-fly zones of the 1990s, imposed under UNSCR authority over Iraq and Bosnia, and seeks to draw practical lessons from them.

10. What will be the impact of this April’s welfare cuts and public sector job losses?

Talk is cheap, envy is expensive

Whether in the public or private sector there is an unarguable case for paying people what they are worth, says Steve Norris – however unpopular it might be with the press and public.

Clock watching in the Commons

Once again, reports Sam Macrory, MPs are gearing up to debate the hours which they sit.

Lots of pain for no gain

With the economy still contracting and unemployment and inflation on the rise, the coalition government’s determination to cut the deficit at all costs is deeply misguided, says Ed Balls.

People’s party once more

Losing the election was a chastening moment for Labour, admits Ed Miliband, who is now engaged in a countrywide conversation to ensure that the party successfully reconnects with voters.

The Conservatives' 'breakthrough' year

Ministers have hit the ground running, says David Cameron, and while 2011 will be a difficult year, the government’s policies are putting Britain back on track.

Political orphan’s tale

On a March day in 1979, the life of Lord Lexden changed forever. Though the death of Airey Neave robbed him of a friend and ended their shared vision for Northern Ireland, his relaunched career soon saw him rubbing shoulders with some rising stars in the Conservative Research Department.

MPs 'turning their backs' on foreign affairs

The House of Commons is pushing itself to the margins by turning its back on the Arab revolt, says Denis MacShane.

Electoral fraud fears 'unfounded'

If you believed everything you read about the 2010 general election you might think there is a major problem with electoral fraud in the UK, but there isn’t, says Jenny Watson.

Parliamentary intern scheme to widen access to politics

A new interns scheme means that Parliament can show the way forward and help youngsters of all backgrounds to get a foot on the employment ladder, says Hazel Blears.

Big Society 'antidote' to big government

Sam Macrory speaks to Bernard Jenkin, whose select committee is embarking on an inquiry into the Big Society.

Big Society 'antidote' to big government

Bernard Jenkin, whose select committee is embarking on an inquiry into the Big Society, says the agenda needs to be seperated from the consequences of spending cuts.

House Hoff Commons

Earlier this month actor and musician David Hasselhoff visited Westminster. He gives his impressions of meeting the prime minister and walking the corridors of power.

A double-edged sword

Whilst agreeing that fusing a measure to provide for a voting system referendum with one to reduce and redefine constituencies is ill-judged, Lord Steel of Aikwood says filibustering on the bill risks a guillotine precedent that would cut down the Lords’ ability to scrutinise legislation.

Such a thing as society

Both a disciple of Thatcher and an enthusiastic advocate of the Big Society, Robert Halfon is the 21st century incarnation of a one-nation Tory, eager to recast perceptions of the party.

Politicians on television

As a new crop of MPs forfeit decorum for talent and game shows, Sam Macrory looks at those who have known disaster and distinction on television.