Monthly Archives: April 2012
Conservatives and constitutional change
It has been rather a peripatetic week. Last Sunday, I was in Louth for the Mayor’s civic parade before heading for London in the evening, ready for the launch of the Joint Committee report (and the Alternative report) on Monday. … Continue reading
I am not Sir Peter….
It has been a hectic day, as hectic as yesterday. This evening I attended the latest lecture in the series of Speaker’s lectures on Parliament and Government, this one given by Sir Malcolm Rifkind. It was, as one would expect, … Continue reading
Lords reform
I have been in Westminster today for the publication of the report of the Joint Committee on the Draft House of Lords Bill. It was launched at a press conference this morning. You can read details and links to the … Continue reading
Parliament and human rights
There has been a two-day conference at Westminster, organised by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, on ‘Redressing the Democratic Deficit in Human Rights’. Today was the second day and I was part of the concluding panel addressing ‘How could … Continue reading
Who do they think I am?
Who am I? In the past few days, I have received correspondence addressed to: Professor Lord Norton of L N. O. F. Louth Mr Norton O. Louth Mr Louth I know software has enabled mass mailings, but some organisations do … Continue reading
Parliament Act v Fixed-term Parliaments Act
One reader reached the site recently by googling the query as to the difference between the Parliament Act and the Fixed-term Parliaments Act. The Parliament Act 1911 provided that the maximum life of a Parliament was five years ( previously … Continue reading
Another characteristic
I was somewhat surprised that ‘fairness’ did not rank among the characteristics singled out by people as among the best features of being British. We do tend to have a strong sense of what is fair and what is not. … Continue reading
Characteristics of being British
A recent Ipsos MORI poll, for Channel 4, asked people what they thought were the best characteristics of British people. The most popular answer (45%) was ‘a good sense of humour’, followed by being friendly (34%) and tolerant of all … Continue reading
Leaders of the Opposition
Easter is a rare opportunity to get on with some serious writing. I am in the midst of three major writing commitments. It has also proved quite productive in that a copy of the latest issue of Pouvoirs – the leading … Continue reading
Choosing the best…
One reader, who submitted an entry for the caption competition for me holding the Giant Hat of Cleverness, keeps inquiring if I have yet chosen a winner. I am happy to be guided by readers as to which they think … Continue reading
The Norton View 