@SteveBakerFRSA A good idea. I will be in touch.

To be realistic is not to carp. I accept that we cannot turn back the clock. But we should not delude ourselves. Brexit has caused our country harm that far outweighs any benefits that can currently be identified. The list of "benefits " are either theoretical or ( new trade deals), no compensation for the trade and o-operation we have lost. Successive governments, Conservative and now Labour promise to "make Brexit work". But they have shown not the slightest sign of being able to do so. Loss of public confidence in government generally is fuelling a willingness to abandon democratic values. I would be pleased to be proved wrong but all my political experience tells me that we will struggle to deliver the security and quality of life that U.K. citizens aspire to have, as long as we fail to build a durable political partnership with our closest neighbours. Meanwhile the legitimacy of our political institutions will be called into question because they are not delivering for the public. We both went into politics to serve our country,which you have done with honour. It depresses me therefore to see you lose your seat as a direct consequence of this collapse in trust. At some point rebuilding our relations with our nearest neighbours is going to have to be prioritised both for the sake of our economy and our security. That will require compromises that we we were told by Leavers in 2016 could now be abandoned for ever.

RT @ELongman_Rood: “We need to fight Farage – and Faragism” For the fifth anniversary of Brexit, I spoke to @dominicgrieve_ and @CarolineL…

As Attorney General he is still bound by the professional code of conduct of a barrister. You are correct that he must avoid any conflict of interest in his work. But there is not a shred of evidence that he has not done so. As I explain in my post, there are systems in place in the Office of the Law Officers to handle such a problem if it arises.

The Crown Prosecution Service does indeed have to give approval for police to charge suspects in serious crimes. But where is the evidence that when Keir Starmer was Director of Public Prosecutions the CPS wrongly refused such consents in rape and child grooming cases? There is none. On the contrary Starmer was pro-active in focussing on this type of crime as @nazirafzal has correctly highlighted. There may well have been failures to address this issue elsewhere through reporting and investigation but that is not the role of the CPS. Baseless innuendo does not contribute to serous debate.

An area of the City, once owned by the Knights Templar and now by two societies of lawyers- the Middle Temple and Inner Temple which each have dining halls. . Many barristers have their chambers there. At the heart is a medieval church, well worth a visit with a world class choir.

It was a privilege on Saturday to be elected co-President with Caroline Lucas of the U.K. European Movement. We come from different political traditions but are united in believing that our country's wellbeing is dependant on rebuilding our relationships with our European neighbours who share our values. I look forward to working with Caroline and Mike Galsworthy it's Chair in furthering its work. We were also given a rousing valedictory address by Michael Heseltine. His long career spans the entirety of the life of the EM since its foundation. It gives us confidence that the dismal consequences of Brexit for our country are a transient phenomenon that we can and will overcome.

The final round of voting for the next Chancellor of Oxford University opens on Monday 18/11 and runs through to Friday 21/11. This is my latest video which can also be accessed along with my website on

I am pleased to see that the PM went to France today. U.K.-French Defence co-operation has never been more needed. We are facing the greatest threat to European peace since the 1930's. We now need to see this Entente used to ensure that Russia cannot and does not win in Ukraine.

RT @Keir_Starmer: I am honoured to be in Paris to stand united with President @EmmanuelMacron in tribute to the fallen who made the ultimat…

I have heard this morning that I am through to the last five for the election of the Chancellor of Oxford University. I am grateful to and want to thank all those who have supported me. The final vote will be in the week starting on 18 November. On a day when I am holding my breath that Trump and his vitriol do not succeed, I count myself fortunate to be part of such a pleasant and polite electoral process.

The post below relates to an article I have just written about the ECHR.

RT @ConsEurope: Given the minimal gains & significant risks of leaving the Convention when @RobertJenrick claims “It’s leave [the ECHR] or…

The post below by the Constitution Unit refers to today's letter in the Times from them, myself and others urging the Government to move forward on much needed changes to improve ethics and standards in government. They are easy to deliver and long overdue.

RT @ConUnit_UCL: Our Director, Meg Russell, has signed a letter in @thetimes urging the Prime Minister to deliver on his commitment to stre…

Excellent debate last night at the Durham Union Society on "This House would rejoin the European Union". The motion, which I proposed, was carried by a substantial majority. More important than the result was the fact that the issue was being debated. Our national politicians who are burying their heads in the sand as our economy and well being flatlines should be doing the same.