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| 5: A war on democracy: How statutory instruments replaced acts of parliament The "messy execution" of laws, as this article put it, often rests on secondary legislation – the stuff which sneaks into force through the exercise of ministerial powers that don't actually need an Act of Parliament. This is bad news for everyone apart from the government. And the problem is getting worse and worse. 4: Comment: The myth of Muslim no-go areas is being used to turn us against one another Fox News security 'expert' Steve Emerson' ludicrous claim that Birmingham was a "Muslim-only city" was rightly ridiculed. But the assumptions behind it are increasingly being believed by far too many people. It's a misperception that urgently needs correcting – because failing to do so will eventually start affecting our politics. Worst of all, there are signs that may already be starting to happen. 3: Round four: Grayling offers last-minute concession to kill off judicial review rebellion The steadily-growing horror at the full extent of Chris Grayling's war against judicial review preoccupied us for much of last year. This sorry saga popeed up again in this week's vote in the Commons: Yet again, MPs approved legislation which will effectively make it easier for ministers to break the law. Apparent retreats from the Ministry of Justice, minor in nature and ultimately inconsequential, helped pave the way for another Grayling win. 2: The British state has 1,000 ways to get into your home Conservatives have been worrying about the pernicious effect that powers of entry have on civil liberties for decades. But they haven't done much about it and, as research out today from Big Brother Watch revealed, the problem remains a huge one. Two councils have as many as 500 staff who don't even need a warrant to show up uninvited. It's truly gobsmacking stuff. 1: Internal exile returns to Britain MPs don't like it one bit – but they're going along with it because they feel they have to. It's not exactly the most reassuring state of affairs as the UK once again becomes a state where it can forcibly remove citizens away from their homes without even a criminal conviction. The measure, which is being pushed through in the serious crime bill, returns the Tpims regime just a little bit closer to Labour's control orders. This is a serious step – but one very few people are really paying much attention to. As Ken Clarke put it in the Commons last year: "What exactly has happened to give rise to the need to bring back what I thought were fairly useless relocation orders?" Beyond saying that 'the terrorists are coming', no-one in government seems to have a decent answer. Best of the weekThere's a gaping hole in Ed Miliband's voter registration speech There's a gigantic hole in Ed Miliband's speech on voter registration - and much of the media coverage surrounding the "scandal" of the coalition's reforms. After Boris: Tories are giving up on holding on to City Hall Potential Tory successors to Boris Johnson rule themselves out PMQs Verdict: Cameron runs scared of the debates Cameron's reputation as a confident frontman for the Tory party takes a battering as he flees from TV debates The death of the British far right The British far right is in a state of historic and apparently terminal decline. Boris Johnson's road-building plans will cause gridlock on local roads Mayor's transport deputy admits some roads could see traffic double Clegg puts his foot down on snoopers' charter Lib Dem leader demands British constitution as Charlie Hebdo unity falls apart The case for weak politicians A veteran MP is making the case for compulsory voting this week - but politicians need to realise that weak mandates are not always a bad thing. Does Cameron have any response to terror which doesn't involve the snoopers' charter? Another terror attack allows Cameron to revive his support for the snoopers' charter - but you don't save free speech by clamping down on it | Alarm as cosmetics ban claim referred to ECJFears it could prove major setback to animal welfare. Labour pledge to legalise humanist marriages as Government blocks proposals, disappointing thousands of couplesThe Labour Party has today pledged to give legal recognition to humanist marriages if returned to power next year, as the government publish a report blocking Liberal Democrat party policy for reform. Advisers welcome common sense approach on digital firms’ VAT but warn uncertainty will remainTax advisers have welcomed a government move1 which will save thousands of small businesses needing to register for European VAT on digital services from having to charge their customers UK VAT, provided their relevant turnover remains below the £81,000 threshold CML publishes new market forecastsLooking ahead over the next two years, housing and mortgage market developments appear well supported by relatively favourable economic fundamentals. RSPCA shakes up ChristmasThought-provoking video homage to festive classic set to shock. "Teacher recruitment and retention on the precipice of a crisis" NASUWT tells pay review bodyThe NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in the UK, is today giving oral evidence to the School Teachers’ Review Body (Review Body) to argue for a substantial above-inflation pay award for teachers in 2015/16. Call to end the exploitation of agency workersPoliticians must show they are serious about cracking down on the exploitation of agency workers, including supply teachers, NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in the UK, has said. |
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