Civil liberties – Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb

Crime and Policing Bill Report Stage Day 6

Published on March 19, 2026 by jonesjb

As the Green Peers are not part of the usual channels, we were not able to give our views on the fact that this very important piece of legislation is being bullied through this House by the Government. It is absolutely outrageous that we do not have another day for Report. I hold both Members of the Front Bench accountable for this. It is not acceptable. This is no way to make good law, when we are going to be very tired in the later hours and possibly in the early hours. Continue reading “Crime and Policing Bill Report Stage Day 6” →

Victims and Courts Bill Report Stage

Published on March 11, 2026March 18, 2026 by jonesjb

We need a justice system that puts victims first

Continue reading “Victims and Courts Bill Report Stage” →

My QSD on Public Office (Accountability) Bill: Exclusion

Published on February 27, 2026 by jonesjb

To ask HMG why Members of Parliament and members of the House of Lords are excluded from Clause 11, “Offence of misleading the public”, of the Public Office (Accountability) Bill; and what consideration they have given to removing this exclusion. Continue reading “My QSD on Public Office (Accountability) Bill: Exclusion” →

Drax revelations

Published on February 19, 2026March 2, 2026 by jonesjb

We joined others in writing to the Secretary of State following media reports that one senior manager wrote “we’ve been saying we don’t source from these forests when it appears we might be.” We are deeply concerned that Drax is in receipt of a substantial billpayer subsidy, currently guaranteed until 2031 Continue reading “Drax revelations” →

Crime and Policing Bill Committee Stage Day 15

Published on February 6, 2026February 10, 2026 by jonesjb

Regulators such as Ofwat have been in bed with the water industry bosses, and the Environment Agency has lost staff and legitimacy. Labour are wedded to private ownership of water and refuse to consider public ownership, even though it would be the most popular legislation they could enact this Parliament.

These amendments take a direct route to stopping pollution by making this personal to the people at the top. If they do not spend the money to invest and reduce pollution, then that is a crime. They are taking the public’s money and failing to improve. Continue reading “Crime and Policing Bill Committee Stage Day 15” →

English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill Committee Stage Day 4

Published on February 3, 2026 by jonesjb

Ultimately, these amendments are about empowering local decision-making Continue reading “English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill Committee Stage Day 4” →

Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill Report Stage

Published on January 29, 2026January 30, 2026 by jonesjb

I feel that we have completely failed children who are home educated; we have not understood how important that aspect of education is for many children. At the moment, there are excessive data powers, legal ambiguity and the erosion of long-standing parental rights. It is just so much worse than it could be, and I feel very sad about that. I have three grandchildren who were home educated; two are now studying at Cambridge and the other is making films, so their home education did not hold them back. I am concerned about the digital ID as there are no safeguards on sharing that information. There are unchecked powers for the local authorities, and there was no meaningful consultation or risk assessment. Therefore, home-educated children are subject to a higher level of scrutiny and data extraction, and it just seems that we are going to a place where a lot of children are going to be very disadvantaged, because being taught at home is not an option for them. Continue reading “Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill Report Stage” →

Crime and Policing Bill Committee Stage Day 13

Published on January 28, 2026January 30, 2026 by jonesjb

A system that criminalises without regard to intent places an enormous burden on lawful expression and legitimate activity. Also Parliament and the public need assurance that proscription is based on sound reasoning, reviewed independently and grounded in evidence. One thing we did not really have when we were asked to proscribe Palestine Action was evidence. And proscriptions should be time-limited and expire after a set period, such as two years, unless Parliament is asked to proscribe yet again. At the moment, once proscription has happened, it in effect lasts forever. Continue reading “Crime and Policing Bill Committee Stage Day 13” →

Crime and Policing Bill Committee Stage Day 12

Published on January 26, 2026January 26, 2026 by jonesjb

Police officers do a very difficult job—I am very appreciative of that and understand the problems—and most do it well. But when someone abuses that role, the damage is much greater for public trust. It is wider than any single case. Trust in policing depends on people believing that no one is above the law. At the moment the rule of law is not for us all, as exemplified by the way we treat police in some cases. Continue reading “Crime and Policing Bill Committee Stage Day 12” →