Tag Archives: david anderson

A day for Liberal Democrats to speak out for Justice?

It’s not a comfortable day to be a Liberal Democrat today.

The House of Lords is debating the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill. Will it overturn the Commons’ rejection of its amendment protecting the right to Judicial Review? Jonathan Marks wrote of his concerns about this provision earlier this year. When it was last discussed, 17 Liberal Democrats supported the rebel amendment and 43 supported the Government position. You have to ask serious questions when even Lord Carlile thinks the Government is going too far.

It was a Judicial Review that ruled the appalling Prisoner Book ban unlawful last week. The state has more than enough power and screws things up, or at the very least pushes the boundaries all the time. It is vital that citizens have the chance to challenge government decisions in the courts. It’s a vital check on power that should not be being mucked around with.

How can citizens take the government on if the government throws all the tools at their disposal in the bin?

Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged , , and | 5 Comments

Meanwhile, also in the news…

Former Liberal Democrat MP Alex Carlile is to step down as the government’s Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation on 31 December. He will be succeeded by David Anderson QC, a specialist in EU and public law and human rights and a visiting professor of law at King’s College, London. Lord Carlile will, however, provide expert, independent oversight of the official review of the government’s strategy (“Prevent”) for preventing violent extremism.

Politics.co.uk reports mixed views from Liberal Democrats about how the party’s backbench committees are working: “One co-chair charged with one of the biggest policy portfolios said the committees were a …

Posted in News | Also tagged , and | 1 Comment
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