The next Power Couple in the second Talk & Toast breakfast series were Emma and James Arbuthnot, which gave a packed house much to think about.
Emma, as Chief Magistrate, hears many of the most sensitive or complex cases, in particular extradition. She also supports her 300 odd district judge colleagues. She is depressed by the attacks on judges and politicians. We should be grateful for our independent, non-political judges and proud of the rule of law.
James sits in the House of Lords, having been an MP and Defence Procurement Minister. He dropped a bombshell when he told us that he had stopped his subscription to the Conservative Party when Boris Johnson became Prime Minister. His reasons were the real costs of Brexit and his faith and respect for the Prime Minister. In addition he felt few were speaking for the centre in either Tory or Labour Party.
The conversation roamed around the existential threats of Russia and China, fake news, extremism, a blokeish culture in the Commons and work/life balance for this Power Couple.
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