Inside The Lords: Green lane for the Windsor agreement - but the red lane for levelling up
The main items on the agenda have this week have been the Levelling up bill and the Windsor framework. Both illustrate the dangers of leaving politics to parliament!
For me, the levelling up bill has been a very frustrating experience. Not only has it become a catch-all bill which bears little relationship to the challenges facing red wall voters or ended geographic inequality, it has become a magnet for every bureaucracy-minded Lord in the chamber. This is partly because I discovered that the Lords is full of former local government officers and council leaders, who like nothing more than more devolution policies which create even more local politicians with greater powers. My colleagues have now submitted around 500 amendments - which must be close to a record. It seems that everyone wants to get their pet issue included, from yet more environmental protections to endless health and well-being initiatives. Guess what, all these proposals will mean no more development, house-building, infrastructure, industrial growth, the necessity of regeneration and dynamism that the bill is designed to create - and people desperately need.
The Windsor Framework, which Sunk has pushed through by creating a ‘statutory instrument’ in the Commons to try and avoid any substantive debate on it, did actually get a good discussion in the Upper House - thanks to the work of the DUP. Some of my readers will be familiar with my criticisms of the framework, as it allows for continued regulation and control by the EU, and substantively threatens the Union. Thankfully, the debate was a chance for me and others to stand up for the meaning of the Brexit vote, for UK law and democracy. We even forced a vote, and while we lost substantially, it was interesting to note how many people abstained.
So, the Lords - despite my many criticisms of it as an institution - continues to be an opportunity for me and others to try and shine a light on issues the government would rather see nodded through without debates. I always try to use my position to give some actual scrutiny to laws and regulations.
Nonetheless, life in the Lords is relentlessly frustrating politically - so I turn elsewhere for my inspiration! Thankfully the outside world offers plenty of opportunities for us to try and make the case for democracy and against the culture war. A few events I want to highlight:
Let Women Speak
First, I will be at the Let Women Speak event at Speaker’s Corner this Sunday 2 April, to defend the real meaning of women’s autonomy against those who would like to silence us - and indeed everyone - in the name of trans ideology. This event, organised in light of the now infamous treatment of Posie Poker at a rally recently, is a chance to show we won’t be silenced. See you there from 3pm!
Let Women Speak
Speaker’s Corner, Westminster
3pm
Claire Fox in Manchester
Second, if you are in Manchester next weekend, I will be speaking at an event organised by Nick Buckley on Thursday 6 April, discussing and debating free speech issues and the importance of contesting ideas.
Manchester
7pm
Living Freedom
In the summer, my colleagues and I are pushing to expand the arena of contesting ideas to the next generation, getting young people involved in debates at Living Freedom this June.
You can find out more about the programme and how to apply here
The Academy
Finally, I will be using the extra time over the Easter period to dig into some of the initial readings for The Academy, an event that was featured in a guest essay for our Substack this week. It takes place on 29-30 July and is a unique chance to think deeply about our current moment and how to inject some intellectual dynamism into it.
You can get your tickets, and learn more, here.
Well, that’s it from me. Remember, you can support our work by becoming a paid subscriber, sharing the word, or attending any of the events I’ve mentioned here!