Author Archives: Helen Tedcastle

Helen Tedcastle

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

By Helen Tedcastle | Thu 17th July 2014 - 1:28 pm

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, …

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Posted in Op-eds | Tagged and | 16 Comments
Helen Tedcastle

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

By Helen Tedcastle | Tue 5th February 2013 - 9:01 am

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

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Posted in Op-eds | Tagged , , , and | 60 Comments
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