The Government’s announcement today that fracking will not take place in National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty save ‘in exceptional circumstances and where it can be demonstrated they are in the public interest’ is a welcome and sensible move. That will be a relief to the residents of Wisborough Green and Kirdford in my constituency, two villages in beautiful countryside close to the South Downs National Park which have faced the prospect of drilling.
Read MoreThe BBC's Political Editor Nick Robinson had an interesting report this morning that the Conservatives are planning - should we form the next government - to pass a Bill to allow Parliament to override a decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), although Britain would aim to remain a member of the Council of Europe and a party to the European Convention on Human Rights.
Read MoreOvershadowed in the ephemeral excitement of the reshuffle, a change at least as significant. It's been announced today that Sir Bob Kerslake is to step down as Head of the Civil Service, to be replaced by a Chief Executive "at the centre of government". The new CEO will "lead the next phase of work on Civil Service transformation and the Government’s efficiency and reform agenda".
Read MoreThis week Theresa May became the longest serving Home Secretary since 'RAB' Butler held the post over half a century ago. The BBC's Home Affairs Correspondent Danny Shaw interviewed me and others about this remarkable achievement, and his piece was broadcast by Radio 4's Today programme yesterday morning. You can listen to it here.
Read MoreThe Government has just published some welcome changes to planning guidance which address a number of the concerns which I and other MPs have been putting to ministers about how reforms were being implemented. The Telegraph reports some of the changes this morning, but here is a more detailed take.
Read MoreThis week is an important one for international conservation. The Government is hosting a major conference on the illegal wildlife trade, focusing on the serious threat to elephants, rhinos and tigers in particular from poaching to satisfy the demand for animal body parts. There’ll be a two day symposium hosted by the Zoological Society of London, followed by a high level event hosted by the Prime Minister with delegates from around the globe.
Read MoreLast summer I wrote about a tale of two worlds - one where gay relationships are increasingly recognised and normalised, another where gays remain oppressed and, in some cases, laws are moving backwards.
Read MoreAnyone who’s driven on the A27 at Arundel at rush hour knows that it’s more like a coastal car park than a coastal highway. I’ve continually pressed for an Arundel by-pass, as did my predecessor, but it was only when the new Government came to power that ministers became receptive and visited the area. Now, at last, we’re making progress.
Read MoreJames Forsyth's piece in today's Spectator is insightful about the growing political consensus that Whitehall needs a shake-up. It's often missed that the Cabinet Secretary, Sir Jeremy Heywood, and the Head of the Civil Service, Sir Bob Kerslake, have been supporting change. Notably, Kerslake co-signed the Government's Civil Service Reform Plan and its first year update with the Cabinet Office Minister, Francis Maude.
Read MoreLike the proverbial London buses, you wait for one senior judge to say something about the European Court of Human Rights, and along come two more. Hard on the heels of Lord Justice Laws' call for our courts to stop deferring to the ECtHR, and Supreme Court Justice Lord Sumption's view that the Court "undermines the democratic process", comes a bombshell from no less a figure than the former Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge.
Read MoreHalf an hour may be a short time for debate, but if you're at the receiving end of sustained parliamentary shelling it can feel a lot longer. On Tuesday the heavy artillery took the form of the MP for Mid Sussex, Nicholas Soames, who I joined in a Westminster Hall debate about the proposed Mayfield new town in our constituencies.
Read MoreNick's interview with The Spectator.
Read MoreNick's interview with The Independent.
Read MoreNick’s October 2009 speech as Shadow Environment Secretary to the 10th Annual Greentech Foundation Environment Conference in Kerala, India.
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