Robert Buckland Weblog

The past week or so has brought me into further contact with a number of organisations that in differing ways are helping to get people back on their feet or on their feet for the first time.  On 13th November, I was at the Headquarters of Nationwide in Pipers Way, which was the venue for the [...]

Despite the tributes that are being paid to him, and the prospect of a peerage, I suspect that the resignation of Mr. Speaker Martin will not be mourned by many.   The conduct of the various holders of this office has varied widely, but I believe that it great events will make or break holders of offices such as these.  Take Mr. Speaker Lenthall, for [...]

Am still nursing some sore joints after a good few hours of litter clearing in Liden on Saturday.  Over forty local residents which included the WI and the local Scout, Guide and Beaver packs turned out on a sunny day to fill over fifty bin liners full of rubbish.  We formed four teams, covering an [...]

Things are happening thick and fast, and I have several deadlines to meet with work and articles, so please forgive the delay in posting. On Friday 15th February, I spent a full day at the school where I am a Governor, The Ridgeway School in Wroughton. I was recently appointed as the Special [...]

This article appeared in today’s Swindon Advertiser:
“That’s another fine mess you’ve gotten us out of
By Ben Perrin

Robert Buckland cleaning up in Westlea

THREE disused shopping trolleys were piled high with rubbish after a clean-up day at Westlea Park.
Graffiti on a fence was also painted over as a team of volunteers blitzed the area on Saturday.
Swindon councillor [...]

I have blogged previously about the Walcot Community Shop at Sussex Square, East Walcot. On Saturday, I was able to help out there for a few hours in the morning. My activities included manning the till and collecting a cot and child guards from a local family who no longer had need for [...]

I have been busy of late, and have failed to update this blog with work I have been doing with The Willows High School which is in the Tremorfa area of Cardiff.  In June, I met a GCSE Law student who was completing a Work Placement with staff at Cardiff Crown Court.  He was bright, [...]

The date and time of the next Swindon Special Educational Needs Network meeting has been fixed for 7.15pm on Tuesday 18th September at Wroughton Parish Church Hall, Prior’s Hill, Wroughton.  Apart from our usual group sessions, we will be joined by guest speaker Emma Turner, who is a solicitor specialising in Education Law and SEN [...]

Further to our meeting on 12th June, the Swindon SEN Network has submitted written evidence to the House of Commons Education and Skills Select Committee, which is conducting an inquiry into the role of Local Education Authorities in the process of providing and assessing special educational needs. I reproduce the submission in full below:
MEMORANDUM OF [...]

I have found the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 in Stones. For an Act of this age, it is remarkably well-preserved in that only a few of its sections have been repealed. As I reported some days ago, the author and journalist Ross Clark is urging its repeal. The link to his broadcast did not [...]