Letter to EADT – Public Interest vs Prince’s Interest

13 March 2010 To The Editor, East Anglian Daily Times Dear Mr Hunt There has been a lot of talk over the past year about “cleaning-up” politics. The government has promised more transparency with its Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill. The Bill contains an amendment to the Freedom of Information Act: at present, we may [...]

Diamond jubilee? I won’t be dancing in the street

To the East Anglian Daily Times, 5th January 2010 (published 07/01/2010): Dear Sir, So Peter Mandelson wants us all to show our “pride and affection” for The Queen in 2012 with a public holiday. Well pardon me if I don’t join you all dancing in the streets. I find nothing to be proud of, or [...]

If police must make cuts, royal security must be at top of list

To: The Editor, East Anglian Daily Times, 2/12/2009 (published 9th December 2009) Dear Mr Hunt We recently heard the news that Suffolk Police may have to cut its budget by £20 million over the next four years. With Police forces country-wide being asked to cut £500 million, the amount locally could increase further. This would [...]

The Freedom of Information Act must also apply to the monarchy

To the East Anglian Daily Times, 24th November 2009 (published 26th November 2009): Dear Sir, MPs are a secretive bunch. First of all they didn’t want us to find out about their expenses. Now Justice Secretary Jack Straw is trying to sneak through proposals which would grant the Royal Family absolute exemption from the Freedom [...]

Royal prerogative at heart of malaise

To the East Anglian Daily Times, 23rd October 2009 (published 26th October) Dear Sir, Our political system is broken. Our trust in politicians and in parliament is at an all-time low. Cynicism and apathy towards politics among the public is widespread. Our unwritten constitution allows the public little participation in the political process beyond registering [...]