Northern Ireland - an immediate political issue.

The powers which have been devolved from our parliament to assemblies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland may all contain elements which lead certain people to call for further adjustments. Including calls by some for the independence of Scotland and Wales, plus those who press for a United Ireland. But whilst these calls will continue to be part of the political agenda, the most serious issue to deal with at the moment is tackling the situation which now exists in Northern Ireland. Arising from the important Good Friday Agreement aimed at helping to establish peace and harmony on the island of Ireland, travel and trading barriers between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic were removed. Now, however, the UK-EU Brexit deal has led to trade barriers being placed between the UK and Northern Ireland. This is a disgrace when we have a leading overall parliament which covers England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The people who need to overcome this situation are those who created it. Our Government, the EU including representatives from the Irish Republic, plus the Irish Government. It is an issue along with the tackling of Covid which should be at the top of our immediate political agenda.

John Bercow as Labour.

John Bercow became a Conservative MP in 1997, ten years after I was first elected as a Labour MP and 8 years before I retired. He impressed me from the Conservative Back-Benches as he always spoke without making the use of notes and didn't normally stick to the Tory line. He was always his own person. I had retired by he became Speaker, but came across him on occassions. Includng a meeting he addressed at Sheffield University. Then on occasions I wrote to him at the Commons and received helpful responses from him written by his staff on his behalf. But unfortuneately I was unimpressed by the way in which he handled the Commons, as he often went beyond the role of the Speaker which is essentially to ensure that MPs are following correct procedures. He is now, however, free from such restraints. I wonder how he feels about the explusion of Corbyn from the Labour Party and if he will express his views on the issue. Then where does he stand on the development of Labour Party policy? He is not the person to keep quite on issues. I will be keeping an eye out on his efforts. But I am not sure that we shall see eye to eye. For what was he doing in the Tory Party for so long?

Labour's Position.

The Chesham and Amersham Labour Party run a facebook site which has 629 people who are registed with it. See https://www.facebook.com/CheshamAndAmershamLabourParty/ Yet in the recently announced By-election which was won by the Liberals, the Labour Candidate only received 622 votes. At only 1.6% of the total turnout this is Labour's worst constituency electoral result ever. Added to the crash of the Red Wall, the deepth of what Labour needs to overcome is massive. We need to act quick;y on the item below this one.

Labour's Roadmap

Yesterday Labour launched a roadmap to “bring Britain together for a fairer, more secure future”. Keir Starmer and Anneliese Dodds unveiled the policy-building project ‘Stronger Together: A Better Future for Britain’. Dodds explained that the party wants to “harness that spirit of togetherness” seen during the pandemic, working with the labour movement, academics and communities to “meet the challenges and opportunities of the coming decade”. Six key themes have been identified for the roadmap: better jobs and better work; a green and digital future; safe and secure communities; public services; a future where families come first; and Britain in the world. The party said the project will champion new technologies, “show how world-class public services can create new opportunities across the country” and “take on the battle of the climate crisis”. Whilst this is an important development to deal with some key issues, it is important that the leadership should indicate to us where we stand on these matters at the moment. Party members can then seek to nudge and expand on such proposals if they feel there are current shortcomings. And the electorate will know where we currenly stand on major issues.