Lords DIARY

l o r d s

Baroness Royall seeks solution for united devolution

d i a r y

Wednesday 29 October

Saturday 1 November

Empowering people and changing the way we do

politics are two of my passions so I was pleased to
speak in a Lords debate on devolution after the Scottish
Referendum. People want decisions taken closer
to them, which is why I strongly support calls for a
Constitutional Convention driven by the people for
the people. Many challenges arise from devolution,
but simplistic answers like English Votes for English
Laws are not the solution. Neither is partisanship.
Our constitution is not the property of any political
party and there must be consensus about any change.
We know that when all parts of the UK work together
we can achieve great things the Olympics and
Paralympics in 2012 were a great testament to that.

Lunch at my local pub, The Red

Hart in Blaisdon, with Chris
Richards a young man who
has started a terrific business
providing free specialist debt advice. I then spent a few
hours gardening whilst reflecting on Ed Milibands
plans to replace the Lords with an Elected Senate of
Regions and Nations. This is an important and bold
move by Ed on the long road of reform and will form
part of our wider localism offer, which will also see us
devolve 30bn to councils and communities across the
country.

Thursday 30 October
Watching a screening of a fantastic film, One Humanity,
about the evils of the apartheid regime in South Africa
I was transported back to the 1970s and 1980s when I
supported the Anti-Apartheid Movement, led by Bob
Hughes and the wonderful Mike Terry. As ever I cried
with sadness at scenes of the Soweto massacre but also
with joy at the Mandela concert at Wembley.

Friday 31 October
I started the day at HMP Eastwood Park, where I am
patron of the Soap Project, and had a long conversation
(involving delicious cake!) with the women in the
workshop. I was also delighted to meet up again
with a young woman for whom the project has been
a pathway to employment. I then spoke with the
Governor whose supportive innovations are having a
real impact on the lives of the women, including the
many who are victims themselves and should not be
in custody. In the afternoon I was at the University
of Gloucestershire discussing the Enterprise Hub
a joint venture with GFirst, our Local Enterprise
Partnership. I am especially interested in their work
with schools, ensuring that from primary age onwards
children know about the opportunities available to
them be it apprenticeships, college, university or
employment.
42 | THE HOUSE MAGAZINE | xxxxxxxx 2013

Sunday 2 November
Headed to BBC Bristol to record a regional television
debate (aired a few days later), where I touched upon
many of the themes I had raised in the Lords debate.

Monday 3 November
Heard the news early on that our wonderful colleague
and friend, Joel Barnett, had died. He was an
extraordinary man and a fine parliamentarian, who
was diligent to the end in holding the Government to
account. He will be missed across the red benches. As
evidence of his enduring legacy, there was a debate
scheduled in the chamber regarding his formula,
providing an early opportunity for peers on all sides to
make moving tributes.

Tuesday 4 November
Back-to-back meetings until early afternoon including
Shadow Cabinet and my monthly catch up with
the Clerk of the Parliaments, then straight into the
Chamber for Lords questions. This was followed
by meetings on the Modern Slavery Bill which I will
be leading for the Opposition. Finished the day by
popping into a meeting of Young Labour and left feeling
energised by their enthusiasm and determination to
elect a Labour Government next May.

Baroness Royall is a Labour Peer and Shadow Leader of the Lords

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