Intellectual Property Bill
The Intellectual Property bill had its Second Reading on 22nd May. Whilst most of it's provisions are welcome there are a number of omissions that we argued should be corrected during the passage of the Bill through the House of Lords, in particular to align criminal offences for registered designs with those of unregistered design, to provide a remedy for lookalike products which mislead the consumer and to align criminal penalties for digital and physical copyright infringement.Read more
The Independent has launched a Christmas campaign with Space for Giants to raise funds for its vital anti poaching work.
This could be transformational both in Northern Kenya and other parts of Africa where the elephant is under major threat from ivory poachers. See this editorial from the Independent
Amol Rajan: The Independent : Saturday 30 November 2013
We need your help to protect elephants from the ivory trade
This newspaper shall be raising money to help combat that trade, and promote conservation in Africa
Last night, in the gilded surroundings of the Attlee Room in the House of Lords, we hosted a gathering in aid of our Christmas campaign, which this year runs in conjunction with a wonderful charity called Space for Giants, which does extraordinary work in protecting elephants threatened by the ivory trade.
I should say that I have a particular fondness for elephants, having spent a little time with them in India, the country of my birth. For Hindus – even lapsed ones – Ganesha, with an elephant head, is the god of knowledge. These deeply intelligent mammals have come under constant attack in Africa. In 2011, more African elephants were killed than in any other year.
This newspaper shall be raising money to help combat that trade, and promote conservation in Africa. So there’ll be plenty of fascinating campaign coverage next week.
Twitter: @amolrajan
Lord C-J checks progress on the Public Health Responsibility deal
The Public health responsibility deal was a deal agreed in 2011 between government and industry designed to achieve reductions in alcohol abuse, obesity and other public health problems. On 27th june I initiated a debate to get an update from the government on the results achieved and plans for the future.
I emphasized however that I am in favour of voluntary action where this was seen to be effective.
“I know I am not alone in preferring to see
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201314/ldhansrd/text/130627-gc0001.htm#13062764000170
Triumph for Southwark Tigers!
Astonishly Southwark Tigers Under 13's recently beat Old Alleynians Under 13's by a hefty margin. What a triumph for Coach Maggie Hammond, all round inspiration Vernon Neve-Dunn and all at the Tigers!
Queen's Speech Shows the Coalition has not run out of steam
There has been been much talk of swivel eyed loons these past weeks. The Tories are back into the obsession with Europe that brought down the Major government in1997.
Cameron thought that by enshrining the right to a referendum in legislation if any further powers were sought by the EU that he'd helped neuter the issue.
Sadly UKIP's success in achieving 25% of the vote in the recent local government elections and in standing at only 2% behind the Conservatives in national opinion polls has created panic among his own ranks.
All the mainstream parties it must be said under-performed in the local elections, although the Lib Dems can take comfort from a solid performance in their MP held seats.
It is not easy to interpret UKIP's success. Is it really based on a desite to exit the EU or cut back on immigration or is a desire to turn the clock back to 1955?
Where does it all leave us? Next year we have the Euro-elections when UKIP are bound to do well when the electorate are not faced with electing a government and there will only be a year to go before the General Election.
Disunity is the cardinal; sin of politics. If the Tories continue on the current track their lack of unity will lead to a much poor showing in the General Election. Labour have a very difficult in achieving a swing sufficient to win outright. With UKIP still unlikely to take seats that leaves a new coalition but one between Labour and the Lib Dems on the cards.
The irony is that this Queen's speech shows an unusual head of steam for a Government in its fourth year. Peter Oborne the Telegraph columnist, not known for his sympathy towards the coalition described the legislative programme unveiled as "brilliant".
With a Care Bill capping care coasts for the first time, a Pensions Bill introducing the single tier pension and the Children and Families Bill carried over which reforms SEN provision more radically than ever before, many of us agree.
All we need are some green shoots of economic recovery and then Lib Dems at least can look forward with some confidence towards the General Election.
Busking under threat in Camden
See the campaigns section and add your voice to those who want to reverse their perverse decision to insist on a licence from all buskers!
End of Term?
This is how many of us felt at the end of the current term in the Lords!
Actually this is me taking part in Dalston House an installation by Argentine artist Leandro Erlich, part of the Beyond Barbican programme.
It was in Ashwin Street near Dalston Junction Overground, and as they say resembles "a theatre set, the detailed facade of a Victorian terraced house – recalling those that once stood on the street – lies horizontally on the ground with mirrors positioned overhead. The reflections of visitors give the impression they are standing on, suspended from, or scaling the building vertically."
40 maps that explain the world
See the the fascinating set of maps which were recently published in the Washington Post. They give unexpected perspectives on some fascinating topics.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/08/12/40-maps-that-explain-the-world/
Rock and Film the House 2014 are launched!
Along with rock stars, Brian May and Bruce Dickinson and distinguished film producer Lord Putnam Mike Weatherley MP launched the fourth Rock the House and the third Film the House together this week at a party on the Commons terrace. The former is designed to raise awareness of intellectual property rights and live music through a nation-wide competition to find the best unsigned talent the country has to offer and the latter is to celebrate the creative work of UK film makers. 450 MPs took part in Rock the House alone last year.
UK Hospitality and Tourism
One of my key concerns is Government policy towards the Hospitality and Tourism Industry which with the right policies and government support could, it is estimated, deliver 300,000 jobs in the UK by 2020. I recently took part in a British Hospitality Association Summit Panel when I advocated a much closer relationship between the industry and Government through the setting up of a Hospitality and Tourism Council comprised of BIS and DCMS Ministers, Visit Britain and senior representatives of the private sector so that a national strategy tackling many issues such as visas, APD, VAT, planning etc can be developed.
The BHA say:
"The immediate and direct follow up to the Summit has been very strong. We've held meetings with the UK Minister of Immigration and the President of CITS to advance the easing of visas for Chinese visitors. We've revitalised the BHA Adopt your MP campaign with even more members signing up to lobby their local MPs to influence change locally as well as in Westminster. We've fueled the industry's Cut Tourism VAT campaign and achieved continued press coverage to amplify our industry's calls to action. "