Should we reform the European Court of Human Rights?
I debated this subject with Shami Chakrabati of Liberty on the Today program this morning - listen here (at 7.50am).
Read MoreStanding up to Tyranny
This week, I am applying for a backbench debate and vote in Parliament on adopting a UK equivalent of the US Sergei Magnitsky Bill, named after the Russian lawyer who was tortured and killed by state officials for exposing the biggest tax fraud in Russian history. For a summary of that case, read here. I […]
Read MoreRoyal Artillery Parade
This morning, I joined the Mayor, Mayoress, General Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman, local dignitaries and many local well-wishers to watch the Royal Artillery Parade through Esher (see below) that precedes the Gold Cup at Sandown Park. As always, it is a marvellous occasion, a chance for residents to show their appreciation for our armed forces, and […]
Read MoreDo Gender Quotas work?
There has been one proper study of the impact of boardroom gender quotas in Norway, by Michigan Business School. Drawing on its findings, in City AM today, I argue that quotas and positive discrimination are anti-meritocratic in principle and counter-productive in practice. The gender pay gap has been reversed for women in their 20s, and […]
Read MoreDo we need EU control over Crime and Policing?
This week, on the Week in Westminster, I debated Britain’s choice of whether or not to opt out of 130 EU crime and policing measures with George Parker of the FT and Tom Brake from the Lib Dems. The government has until 2014 to decide. You can listen to the discussion here (from 17mins), and […]
Read MoreTrials and Tribulations dealing with the Taxman
Since becoming an MP, I have been surprised by the volume and nature of the problems that constituents have in dealing with Her Majesty’s Customs and Revenue, aka the Taxman. After a recession, and with constraints on the availability of credit, perhaps it is little wonder that I get a lot of letters and constituents […]
Read MoreWhat Does Quantitative Easing achieve?
The biggest economic lever being pulled to jump start the economy is Quantitative Easing by the Bank of England. I have often wanted someone to set out - in cold, objective terms - the pros and cons of this for our economy. This week, two commentators discuss the implications of QE, including the impact on […]
Read MoreHigh Tech Hersham
Hersham is well know for the Technology Park, but there is another high-tech hub on Molesey Road. Today, I visited Stan Lawrence and Mick Lowe at Zed Tunnel Guidance and Surrey Amps, and was impressed both with the technical expertise and raw enthusiasm for engineering on display. ZED Tunnel Guidance develops high-tech guidance for boring […]
Read MoreNew Homes Bonus
The government has just announced the allocation of funding under the new Homes Bonus, granting £1.25million of tax recvenue back to Elmbridge. You can see the geographic allocation of funds here. The idea is to replace top down targets with a financial carrot for communities able and willing to build new homes - especiably affordable […]
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