Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “House of Lords”
It was Henry Ford who said: “Don’t just find fault, find a remedy”. We have all attended conferences and summits which have been ‘more talk than walk and more activity than action’. That is why it is vital that there be real outcomes from the next Commonwealth summit, encompassing the findings of the people’s forum and the parliamentary forum. It …
Questions Asked 19 December 2023 Treasury Carbon Emissions: Taxation HL1367 To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the new carbon import levy scheduled for 2027 (1) balances the protection of domestic businesses against cheaper imports; and (2) fosters international cooperation to address global emissions. Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Homelessness: HL1366 To ask His …
My Lords, I, too, thank the most reverend Primate for securing this timely debate. There was much need for reconciliation after the First World War and Second World War. My Jamaican father fought for Britain in the Eighth Army, against the Germans, yet when he came to England in September 1945 he was saddened to see signs warning, “No blacks. No Irish. No dogs”—I guess …
My Lords, the famous British group, The Beatles, had worldwide success with the song “Don’t Let Me Down”. I am confident that the Government will not let Britain down as we leave the European Union. “We Can Work It Out” was another huge hit for The Beatles; I believe that working it out is what will happen. Although that song …
In 1974 a choir of schoolchildren sang a song called “Join Together” at the Commonwealth Games. The song became popular all over the world for its powerful lyrics. Noble Lords may be relieved to hear that I will not attempt to sing the song—I can sing it if you wish. No, perhaps not, but the chorus went: And people, black …
In June last year, I was privileged to be invited as a guest speaker at the Israeli embassy in London. I spoke about the special role that Israel has in the world, a true democracy in the Middle East. My wife, Lady Taylor, and I have had the pleasure of meeting the brilliant Mr. Mark Regev, the Israeli ambassador to …
Lord John Taylor of Warwick’s passion lies in creating positive change and peacemaking. The son of Jamaican immigrants, Lord John Taylor struggled against racism as a child growing up in Birmingham. After a visit to Westminster Abbey at a young age, however, Lord Taylor knew that he was meant to one day impact the lives of the people of Britain …
“Fruitcakes and loons”. That is how David Cameron described the United Kingdom Independence Party, when he became Prime Minster in 2010. That could prove to be a dreadful strategic mistake, as he prepares for the next General election, in 2015. Unfortunately for Mr Cameron, the fruitcakes are on the rise. By labelling UKIP also as “closet racists” Mr Cameron is in danger of insulting millions of small “c” Conservatives who …
“No Blacks, No Irish, No Dogs”. That was the sign in many windows in Birmingham 1950, when my father was looking for accommodation. Rooms that were advertised for rent had somehow “just been taken, ” shortly before he knocked on the front door of that particular address. When he was growing up in Jamaica, he had thought of Britain as the motherland. …
“Black people don’t become Barristers. Don’t you think you should set your sights a little lower?” That was the less than inspiring Careers Advice I was given at 16 years of age, when I told one of my teachers I wished to become a lawyer. Fortunately, I did not listen to him and achieved my goals. But decades later we are still failing …