Editor’s Notes: Brexit can’t mean an end to good governance, respite for Grenfell survivors, and from pulling pints to pitching policy
There are complaints that Brexit is taking up so much time in Westminster that parliament doesn’t have the energy or the space to focus on anything else. In reality, legislators are as busy as ever but they may well be too distracted to offer effective legislative scrutiny.
Last night, no fewer than nine human rights and civil liberties organisations put out a joint statement raising the alarm over the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Bill making its way to the House of Lords. Big Brother Watch, Index on Censorship, Liberty and Reporters Without Borders are among the groups who claim the Bill “presents serious threats to freedom of expression, and would have a censorious effect on press freedom and academic research.”
These campaigners say the proposed measures would fundamentally change the law on freedom of expression and have not received sufficient public and political scrutiny. The Bill aims to bring in new criminal measures for acts deemed supportive of terrorism, but despite good intent the language is too vague and the net appears to be cast too wide. Let’s hope the Lords listen to the concerns of campaigners.
Respite for Grenfell survivors
I’ve always been aware of the distinction between my childhood growing up on the Isles of Scilly and my current life in London, but in recent weeks a heartwarming connection has emerged. The charity Cornwall Hugs Grenfell has helped families affected by the tower block tragedy find some respite through holidays on Scilly, giving children the chance to explore a world a million miles away from the horror of that awful night. My parents have donated a half-term holiday to two women and their young children, and it moves me greatly to think of them enjoying the islands I know so well.
From pulling pints to pitching policy
I was delighted to hear good news from an old friend this week. I first met James Jarvis in 2013 when he was working behind the bar as part of the hospitality team at the Institute of Directors. I’d just started working there and we talked often about what work there could be for him on the other side of the bar, and he took an opportunity to move into a junior role as an advertising assistant in the IoD’s sales team – before moving to the Institute Secretary’s office. After a stint working for the IoD’s director general, he became a corporate governance analyst in the Policy Unit and is soon to start a new role as Director of Corporate Governance at a leading proxy-solicitation firm in the City. I had a pint with James on Monday night and promised that if I wrote about his career story I wouldn’t patronise him, but I do have to say how proud I am of him and his achievements, having known him since he was a young man pulling pints. He’s forged opportunities and he’s made the most of them.
The Davos disconnection
Saudi Arabia has tried to salvage its Future Investment Initiative by announcing billions of dollars worth of inked deals, but it will take more than a press release to repair the damage done to the kingdom’s reputation. Amid the scandal, another organisation is keen to protect its image is the World Economic Forum, organisers of the annual Davos conference. The Saudi event is routinely referred to as “Davos in the Desert” – prompting the WEF to put out a statement “objecting to the misuse of the Davos brand.” Can’t blame them.
Koch, housing stock and one thinking challenge
Congratulations to City analyst Ben Clements, winner of this year’s Richard Koch Breakthrough Prize – which is run by the Institute of Economic Affairs to find free-market solutions to the housing crisis. Clements proposed a Land Purchase Act to make underused public land available for people wishing to build their own home. Judges were impressed by the essay and its detailed proposals, and Clements bagged the £50,000 prize. No word on whether the cash is going towards a house.