The House of Commons approved the Electoral Commission Strategy and Policy Statement on 31 January 2024.  I note that, during the debate, the Minister for Elections claimed, “This statement and the previous legislation that this House has put through will augment the accountability of the commission to Parliament and, in so doing, serve this as its sole and only purpose: to build on Parliament’s and the public’s confidence in its work”.

In her response, the Shadow Minister noted that polling shows that trust in our politics and democratic institutions is at an all-time low, under this Government. I agree with her that all politicians need to work hard to restore trust and give people confidence that politicians will follow the rules. In my view, this Statement raises the appearance of politicians in Government seeking to influence the work of the independent body tasked with managing elections, the Electoral Commission. That is why the Statement is so concerning. As the Shadow Minister pointed out in her speech, “MPs from all parties have condemned it and respected bodies have rejected it, which is further proof that we need a new approach to a democracy that works for everyone”. The risk is that the Statement represents a “dangerous politicisation of our independent elections watchdog. I am concerned as, I know, do many other MPs. There was a vote on the draft Statement. I am disappointed that Government MPs pressed ahead and approved it despite the lack of consensus over it. The House of Lords will now consider the Statement. 

Motion on Draft Electoral Commission Strategy and Policy Statement, I voted No and the result was: Ayes: 273 and Noes:
190

 

On the 31 January 2024 I hosted a IKEA UK & Ireland, Parliamentary Reception in the Terrace Pavillion. I opened the event with a speech and said: “Ambassador Gullgren, Minister Kevin Hollinrake Peter Jelkeby Country Retail Manager, and colleagues from both Houses and other guests for coming to Parliament to celebrate 80 years of Ikea the wonderful everyday

On Tuesday 30 January 2024 the Media Bill underwent the Report Stage and Third Reading. This Bill updates the legislative framework for public service broadcasting (PSB), sets out provisions to deliver content on digital platforms, and updates the commercial radio framework. While I support this Bill, I believe it has been far too long in the making. The delays have held back the UK’s world leading PSBs and have subsequently affected the productivity of the creative industries as a whole. Our PSBs are a fundamental part of British cultural life. I supported amendments that I believe would have strengthened the Bill, benefitted people across the country and helped to support our broadcasters in the coming years. I am concerned that the Bill does not go far enough to shape the industry for the next decade, and falls short when it comes to digital rights for listed events. The rights to broadcast moments of national sporting importance are offered first to channels such as the BBC and ITV, enabling the broadest possible range of people to watch. By not extending this to online clips and highlights, the Bill risks preventing thousands of people from the joy of watching Britain compete on the world stage. I supported an amendment to address this issue, which was voted down.

Language is a daily expression of our history, and Gaelic language broadcasting is an important forum for that expression. I remain concerned that this is still not recognised in legislation in the same way as other minority language services are. I therefore supported an amendment calling for a review into whether a Gaelic language service should be given a public service broadcast remit. Disappointingly, this was also voted down. Lastly, an amendment was laid that would have allowed the possibility of commencing subsection 2 of Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013. This subsection incentivises publishers to join a recognised press regulator by granting them protection against high-cost court cases. I want to see a financially sustainable free press in the UK that is regulated in a way that makes it accountable for its reporting and that meets the highest ethical and journalistic standards. Despite my support, this amendment was also voted down. This Bill has now progressed through the House of Commons and will now undergo further scrutiny in the House of Lords.

Media Bill Report Stage: Amendment 2, Voted Aye and result was Ayes: 195 Noes: 284
Media Bill Report Stage: New Clause 16, Voted Aye and result was: Aye: 193 and Noes: 295
Media Bill Report Stage: New Clause 13, Voted Aye and the result was: Aye: 194 and Noes: 294

New Clause 16

Listed Events

“(1) The Broadcasting Act 1996 is amended as follows.

(2) In section 97 (as amended by section 299 of the Communications Act 2003), after subsection (1B) insert—

“(1A) The following events must be included in Group A of the list drawn up under subsection (1)—

(a) the Olympic Games;

(b) the Paralympic Games;

(c) the FIFA World Cup Finals Tournament;

(d) the FIFA Women’s World Cup Finals Tournament;

(e) the European Football Championship Finals Tournament;

(f) the European Women’s Football Championship Finals Tournament;

(g) the FA Cup Final;

(h) the Scottish FA Cup Final;

(i) the Grand National;

(j) the Wimbledon Tennis Finals;

(k) the Rugby Union World Cup Final;

(l) Six Nations Rugby Tournament Matches Involving Home Countries;

(m) the Derby;

(n) the Rugby League Challenge Cup Final;

Column 807is located here

(o) any match involving the national teams of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or England pertaining to qualification for the events listed in paragraphs (c), (d), (e) and (f).””—(Gavin Newlands.)

This new clause would make it compulsory for the Secretary of State to place the list of sporting events in Group A of listed sporting events, ensuring they are available on free to air television in their entirety. The events consist of all current Group A events plus the home nations World Cup and Euro qualifiers.

Brought up, and read the First time.

Question put, That the clause be read a Second time.

 

 

 

 



 

Lord Meghnad Desai was instrumental in the campaign to have a fitting memorial, a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Parliament Square. Overlooking the House of Commons, the Gandhi statue commemorates the role he played in the peaceful and nonviolent movement to gain independence for India. Lord Desai set up the Gandhi Memorial Trust  and donations financed the statue  created by sculptor Philip Jackson.  In the picture (l) i am with Lord Meghnad Desai. 

In the main picture I am with Lord Desai (l) and H.E Mr Vikram K Doraiswami, the High Commissioner for India in the UK.

The statue was unveiled in March 2015 and every year on or around the 30 January, wreaths are laid to remember his death on 30 January 1948. The Indian diaspora gather together to lay wreaths at the statue and remember his teachings. 

 

 

 

The full delegation at the meeting on 29 January 2024 at NATO HQ Brussels of the NATO Ukraine interparliamentary council to discuss the current position in Ukraine and the release of much needed funds.



The UK delegation consisted of my colleagues l-r Lord Donald Anderson, Lord Archie Hamilton and James Sunderland MP. (below)