Wednesday
The Sudanese descent into civil war has taken up newsprint and also makes it into the Commons Chamber as part of an urgent question. Julian Lewis MP (New Forest East/Conservatives) asks if regional powers are likely to be able to intervene in the conflict. Hamish Falconer MP (Lincoln/Labour), a Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the FCDO, declines to answer for internal policy reasons. It’s another case of Parliament being looked to by the world for answers.
The Royal Gallery in the Lords Chamber is a good way to scope out the work of the nations Upper House for the first time. The presence of school and college-aged groups is a boon for the fortunes of the House, in its relevance and ongoing work. It often finds out more than we expect, and knows more than we’re comfortable with. This makes it a valuable tool if not a resource for democracy in the UK.