Exactly 10 years ago today, on 30th October 2013, I was sworn in to the House of Lords as a life peer.
As I said in my maiden speech “it’s incredible for someone from my background to have arrived in your Lordships house” and I feel more than a slight sense of disbelief when I wonder what my 14 year old self would make of it.
When I lost my sight, age 14, it wasn’t even clear that I would be able to go back to my school or swimming club. Though we still have some distance to go – in terms of fully appreciating diversity and guaranteeing inclusion – it is important to note how far we have come since those days.
Then, as now, it is the people who will pull you through. Family, friends, teachers, swim coaches, all played a part in paving my next steps. A vital part was also played by assistive technology. What would be considered basic today (books on cassette tapes for example) was nonetheless sufficient for my needs and hugely enabling allowing me to succeed in my studies and giving me a deep appreciation for the way in which technology can practically, effectively empower.
Human empathy and a real understanding of what was practically required (inclusion) combined with technology got me back, back to school, to swimming, eventually university, law school, the Paralympics, even director of a home games with London 2012.
Then, in 2013, I entered the House of Lords with Lottie, my previous guide dog, who was the first pup ever in the House of Lords. Lottie is now peacefully retired but my new dog Nancy is just as popular with my colleagues in the House.
In ten years in the Lords, I have made over 500 speeches, asked over 50 oral questions, sat on 8 Lords Committees and written reports both for the Government and under my own auspices. I have been involved in scrutinizing and attempting to improve a raft of legislation with a constant focus on the golden threads of technology and inclusion.
In recent years I have written this blog as a way to share information about my policy work which is organised under two main categories of digital technologies and diversity and inclusion.
I have also written here about the legislation that I have been most involved with including my proposed amendments for the Financial Services Bill, now Act, Financial Service and Markets Bill, now Act, and the Levelling Up Bill.
There is a great sense of shared achievement when one of my amendments is adopted into law – such as cashback without the need for purchase – or when I have been able to assist with a new law such as the British Sign Language Bill – but even when my amendments are not adopted and when I, occasionally, feel like a slightly lonely voice, for example when calling for an AI responsible officer in all financial services firms, which is an amendment I have tabled repeatedly I am always aware of the privilege of being in parliament.
I have been incredibly fortunate. It remains an extraordinary honour to serve in this way, I look forward to the next ten years.
Committees:
- Science and Technology
- Electronic Trade Documents Special Public Bill Committee
- Democracy and Digital Technologies
- Inter-generational Fairness
- AI
- Financial Exclusion
- Social Mobility
- Digital Skills