Blog

On the 21st April I will be running my first ever marathon in London. I decided to do it after meeting a group of soldiers injured in Afghanistan. I thought what more could I do outside politics to support them and that's when the idea of running for the Soldiers’ Charity came to mind.   I'm now almost two weeks into an injury lay-off. I know you're meant to wind down in advance of a marathon but I don't think this total rest and limping is what they had in mind. Anyway I've used a

I am sitting on a busy train on my way to Gloucester, going through my emails and a copy of what is known as the 'Lobby Briefing' has just arrived in my inbox. I thought I should think out loud about what it says and what it means(two different things).    The feeling is now growing that the Prime Minister and the Government have lost their sense of direction it now seems that even experienced journalists are scratching their heads. It is little known beyond Westminster that there...

As I write this quick blog I am sitting in the House of Commons Chamber listening to the last few speeches before the 7pm vote on same-sex marriage. My colleagues Chris Bryant and Caroline Flint are looking over my shoulder at what I'm writing. I am voting for the change to have equal civil marriage within the law. I am also voting to allow those faith organisations who wish to permit ceremonies and protect in law those who don't.   There have been sixty-six speeches. Most of the...

The issue of equal civil marriage is again in the news as the government considers when to publish their proposed legislation. I thought I should blog about my opinion. As you know the Scottish Parliament has responsibility for this matter in Scotland. The House of Commons will decide on the law for the rest of the UK. Both the SNP Scottish Government and the Tory led UK Government are considering what legislation to propose in light of their respective consultations. As you...

I have just come back from the Statement in the House of Commons about the situation in the Middle East. As I type this the suffering caused by the Israel Gaza conflict is growing by the moment. Images of parents heartbroken at the deaths of their children or scenes of a whole family dying with no-one left to mourn for them except their neighbours is a horrible sight. The violence needs to stop and then a temporary truce should become a permanent peace.   There is not and probably never...