I’m enjoying my new life on the back-benches

I’m free! It’s only taken me 30 years, but I’m out now. Off the front bench.

Today is my fourth day of freedom, and so far I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. I thoroughly enjoyed my 30 years on the front bench too – indeed it was, as I’ve often said, a huge privilege to have had [...]

Democracy is breaking out in the Commons

There’s been a sudden outbreak of democracy in the House of Commons itself. It’s very disconcerting.

The idea that MPs could be allowed the freedom to choose which of their colleagues should get key positions to hold the Government to account had been viewed as taking things a bit far. Safer to leave such choices in the [...]