I was privileged to deliver the annual parliamentary lecture to Chevening Scholars at the University of Birmingham last Friday, 29th January.

The scholars came from about 15 different countries including Russia, China, Afghanistan, Kenya, Somalia and Turkey and representatives included the Deputy Solicitor General from Sri Lanka, a senior Hong Kong Police Inspector, Speaker of the Ethiopian House of Representatives and Assistant Chairman of the Supreme Court of Georgia.

My lecture was on the main features and effectiveness of the British
Parliamentary system and the challenges facing a liberal democracy at a time of global recession and international terrorism.

The lively hour and a half session also included some frank questions and answers
about the British response to the radicalisation of young Muslims, energy security and economic questions about the effect of large cuts in public expenditure.

These people are the opinion formers and administrators in their own country. I enjoyed having the opportunity to talk with them but it's pointless unless I'm quite blunt about the British position. There's no point in holding sessions like this and leading people on.