Category Archives: Lobbying Bill

Self inflicted wounds

Posted on February 14, 2014 by ianchisnall

Almost half of all 16 and 17-year-olds in the country are missing. From the national electoral register, that is. This means that they won’t be able to vote when they turn 18. This is clearly disturbing and on Tuesday it led Natascha Engel … Continue reading →

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Dave the forgetful PM?

Posted on February 8, 2014 by ianchisnall

Although I have concluded that for me no Political Party has all of the answers, and that all of them have some of the answers, I confess that the party I most frequently disagree with is the one led by David Cameron … Continue reading →

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The Naive Civil Servant?

Posted on February 7, 2014 by ianchisnall

Yesterday in Parliament the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee listened to Lord Gus O’Donnell, the former Cabinet Secretary, on the impact of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 on Government, particularly in the final year of a Parliament. He pointed out that … Continue reading →

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Do as we say, not as we do

Posted on February 6, 2014 by ianchisnall

Our elected representatives and the Government itself open themselves up to intense scrutiny whenever they speak in Parliament or send out circular letters. However they must presume that few of us can be bothered to pay attention to what they say or write or … Continue reading →

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What is so special about Greggs?

Posted on January 31, 2014 by ianchisnall

I confess to enjoying pies and cakes, and in my lifetime have eaten many of them, including quite a few from Greggs and even some from their original Gosforth store where they sell the wonderful Stotty’s. I would not suggest that their produce … Continue reading →

Posted in Charities, Lobbying Bill, Parliament and Democracy | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

For the want of a vote……..

Posted on January 29, 2014 by ianchisnall

The damaging and dangerous Lobbying Bill is about to become Law following votes in the Lords last night. Despite one very close result – 245 for and 245 against – all of the attempts by the Lords to reinstate their own … Continue reading →

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The right sort of red tape

Posted on January 28, 2014 by ianchisnall

It would be a strange Government that openly promised to introduce more red tape. Just as train companies announce the wrong sort of rain, snow or leaves on the line, there appear to be different types of red tape. Yesterday David Cameron was … Continue reading →

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Access to representation

Posted on January 23, 2014 by ianchisnall

The actions of 38 Degrees, the lobbying charity have been mentioned here before on several occasions. I have expressed my view that whilst their approach can be rather overwhelming for those on the receiving end, such as MPs and MEPs, that … Continue reading →

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Lines on a map

Posted on January 22, 2014 by ianchisnall

A challenge for many organisations, is that of geographical boundaries. No sooner has a line been drawn on a map than the grass on the other side of the line can look very green. Alternatively the issues which the organisations want to … Continue reading →

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A small battle has been won

Posted on January 16, 2014 by ianchisnall

I have written on this blog on many occasions about a piece of legislation that is currently in the House of Lords mid way between the Report Stage of the Bill and its Third Reading. The Lobbying Bill (or Transparency … Continue reading →

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