Author Archives: Helen Tedcastle

Opinion: Assisted suicide – why the Falconer Bill must be rejected

Parliament Sunset - Photo by Greg KnappThe issue of assisted suicide and euthanasia has been presented in the media in a highly emotionally charged way in recent years, with several ‘hard cases’ of non-terminally ill people wanting to die. This has resulted in confusion over what exactly is at stake in the forthcoming Falconer Bill and of course, hard cases make bad law.

In the sad case of Tony Nicklinson, lawyers argued that he had Article 8 rights under the European Convention on Human Rights (respect for private life and family). In their view, …

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged and | 16 Comments

Opinion: Michael Gove’s plans are a disaster for schools

Credit ITN

The publication last week of the All-Party Parliamentary Select Committee’s damning report into changes in qualifications at 16, signals a step-change in attitudes towards Michael Gove’s so-called ‘Education Revolution.’

The report makes for unsettling reading from a Liberal Democrat point of view.  And even Tory MP Graham Stuart, Chair of the Education Committee warns:

We have serious concerns about the Government’s proposed timetable for change. Ministers want to introduce a new qualification, require a step-change in standards, and alter the way exams are administered, all at the same time. We believe

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged , , , and | 60 Comments
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  • Big Tall Tim
    Thank you Kevin. Theakes - That is correct, so good news for our team in the target constituency of Hamble Valley....
  • Andy Daer
    I think we all know that if it’s true that Hamas has agreed to disarm (which would be a clever move by them) Israel will not like it, and will try to prevent ...
  • Tristan Ward
    "A true national liberal party I do not see how a "true national liberal party" can be solely based on social liberalism - such a party can be only half a li...
  • Stephen Robinson
    We may wish to have a clear and distinctive policy on the subject. But we shouldn't proactively be talking about it. For the same reason as we were wrong to get...
  • Tom Arms
    point taken...