Liberalism in Russia

The United States of America will never be a dictatorship. The counterpoised and independent institutions are too strong for that. However, one institution it lacks and Russia possesses, is a mainstream liberal party. Yabloko struggles in the face of state discrimination and populist conservatism, but it is still there.

Ken Clarke on the EU

I had made a mental promise not to bang on about Brexit until there was a surge in public opinion agreeing with Tim Farron that a third referendum was necessary. However, I could not resist commenting on Ken Clarke's historical perspective on the drift in both major parties on the subject of the European community since he entered parliament. (You can see and hear the clip from Radio 4's The Week in Westminster here.) He saw himself as one of a group of "Young Turks" seeing the European Common Market nations thriving economically while Britain, clinging to its imperial past, was in the doldrums. It was pure self-interest, with no mention of the political dimension. He did not acknowledge those fellow Conservatives (like Heath, Macmillan and Churchill), let alone leading Labour figures Tam Dalyell and Denis Healey, who had seen war service, vowed "never again" and saw the Treaty of Rome as a means to bind the nations of Europe together.

Mental troubles affect us all

This week, there was a call for the Welsh government to provide more support for people in rural Wales whose mental health is suffering. It has been known for some time that rural isolation exacerbated by falling incomes, especially for those with family responsibilities, leads to a high suicide rate. The ready availability of lethal means makes the rate second only to that of health professionals in this country. It does not help that the average townie sees only the benefits of country living and none of the difficulties.

One might assume that straight musicians, being paid for doing something they enjoy, would be immune to similar pressures. However, the feeling hangs over many players that they are only as good as their next performance, that they are like horses who having won a race are expected to go out and win again the next day.

Inspired by a survey by helpmusicians.org.uk, Radio 3's Music Matters today devoted the latter part of the programme to interviews with those feeling the pressure (including worryingly young people on the brink of entering musical careers), the professionals who are too seldom called in to help and most poignantly the colleagues of a valued member of a leading group who had taken his own life as a result of a depressive illness.

In both cases, the perceived stigma of seeking help is an obstacle to treatment. Nor are there enough therapists or doctors available. Government should act both in providing resources and in changing perceptions.

Distractions

There is more happening in the world besides president Trump's accession and the arguments between militants on both sides of Brexit. These dominate the mainstream media, but act as a useful distraction for the government from decisions which will soon affect the way of life of many of us. Changes to the benefits, tax credits and social care system, some of which are imminent; plans to close Job Centres; and centralisation of HMRC functions are not going to stop because the government has been given permission to invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty.

In Wales, Local Government Secretary Mark Drakeford has unveiled proposals which would affect both how local services (social care, refuse collection, education etc.) are delivered and ones democratic control over them. The Welsh Government has issued a consultation document and I hope as people as have a view on these matters will respond on- or offline.

Two-faced Labour

Let us remember the votes on the "Brexit" Bill of 1st February 2017. The Labour leadership instructed their members of parliament to vote with the Conservative government. Only 44 stuck to their principles and the interests of the nation as a whole in defying the three-line whip. 

Let us also remember how in 2012 Labour scuppered House of Lords reform by refusing to consider a programme motion to prevent the Reform Bill being talked out. Yet, apart from the brave 44, Labour did nothing yesterday to impede the Conservatives imposing a timetable on the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill. 

Labour's standard attack on Liberal Democrats is that we collaborate with Tories. If we are collaborators, what do yesterday's votes make Jeremy Corbyn's Labour? If nothing else, at least we stick to our principles. Are these Mr Corbyn's principles? If so, he should come clean.

Desmond Carrington

The actor, writer and radio presenter has died in his 90s. People of my generation will remember the younger Carrington, with his partner Spencer Hale, dispensing criticism of current 78s (complete with record-smashing sound effects) on Radio Luxembourg. Later, he was an early adopter of teleworking when he presented his middle-of-the-road Radio 2 programme from his Perthshire home.

War flying ace

Today is the centenary of "Ginger" Lacey who shot down 28 enemy aircraft in several theatres of the second world war. He did have the advantage of training as a pilot before the outbreak of war, but he also benefited in the words of the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography,  from "sharp eyesight, gritty determination, and skilful shooting".

The ODNB sums him up: "A modest, yet independent and straightforward man, he was the finest exemplar of the many sergeant-pilots of the volunteer reserve who so ably served their country during the battle of Britain."

Pub adjudication still not right

Among the several debates ignored by the broadcast media in favour of the anti-Trump bandwagon was one on the progress (or lack of it) on the Pubs Code. It was noticeable that no back bencher spoke against the motion tabled last Thursday by Greg Mulholland and that Margot James, the minister who replied to the debate, was defensive. The motion was passed without dissent.

Question put and agreed to.

Resolved,

That this House welcomes the Pubs Code established in July 2016 to deliver a fairer relationship between large tied pub companies and their licensees and to deliver the principle that the tied licensee should be no worse off than a free-of-tie licensee, introducing a Market Rent Only option for tenants, the right in certain circumstances to have an independent free-of-tie rent assessment and to pay only that sum; is dismayed that pub companies are thwarting the Code and are routinely flouting Regulation 50 that tenants who exercise, or attempt to exercise, their rights under the Code should not suffer any detriment; notes that this includes refusing to allow deeds of variation to leases, forcing tenants wanting to pursue the Market Rent Only option to agree a new lease on unfavourable terms; believes that fees being proposed for ​independent assessors are wholly unreasonable and that unfair additional charges are being demanded which make it unviable to pursue the Market Rent Only option; expresses strong concern that the Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA), Paul Newby, who holds shares in, and has loans to Fleurets, which derives substantial income from the regulated pubcos, is failing to stop these practices or uphold the Code; calls on the Government to ensure that the Code works as intended and to accept the recommendation of the former Business, Innovation and Skills Committee to reopen the appointment process for the PCA; further notes that the Code does not apply in Scotland; and urges parity for Scottish tenants.