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
Advert

Recent Comments

  • Nick Hopkinson
    Labour has yet to steal our pro-European clothes. They remain committed to their Brexit red lines - the leadership has advocated a clear Growth and Defence Part...
  • expats
    @David Allen 12th Nov '26 - 5:37pm............The senior partner in a coalition can usually completely screw the junior partner, as Cameron did to Clegg...........
  • Chloe
    The volatility of US politics in the mid terms. Obama lost 63 in 2010 - an historic high & Clinton lost 54 in the 90's - both went in to win the presidency ...
  • Jana
    It is amazing how things change in US politics. It was a Republican President - Abraham Lincoln - who set about ending slavery in the USA, fiercely opposed by D...
  • Chloe
    Last time I checked it was a UK wide referendum - and Scotland being part of the UK were no different than the residents of Neverwallop..Not much is going to ha...