1986 - BA Hons Social Anthropology, SOAS, University of London
1991 - PhD Social Anthropology, SOAS, University of London
1991 - 2018
Senior Researcher, House of Commons Library
Briefing, advising, drafting for MPs of all parties on an impartial basis. This covered confidential letters, for instance on casework, and longer papers scrutinising Government legislation that were circulated and published online.
I specialised in international affairs through the 1990s and early 2000s, covering subjects like the end of apartheid, the Rwandan genocide, the handover of Hong Kong, and the growth of UN peacekeeping. I helped Robin Cook develop a new China policy when he was Shadow Foreign Secretary. I took on the international law brief in 1997, covering Kosovo and September 11, while I led our research team through the Iraq War. My paper on legal issues in armed conflict was used as the basis for a briefing session for journalists on the eve of the Iraq War. I also wrote our paper on the International Criminal Court, including its establishment and UK legislation to enable ratification.
After spending some time managing in our public engagement directorate, I went back to research in our Parliament and Constitution Centre. I covered devolution, religion and the Crown, plus briefly the House of Lords. In this role I briefed MPs on legislation successively developing devolution in Scotland and Wales, on the collapse of the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2017, and I led colleagues across Parliament in covering the Scottish Independence Referendum in 2014. My paper on the Succession to the Crown Bill was used by civil servants to brief Ministers before a meeting with backbenchers. I also gave advice on potential voting systems for an elected upper chamber.
2022 - present
Senior Research Officer, Liberal Democrat Group, London Assembly
I am fully involved in the development of policy and strategy, as well as briefing our Members, Caroline Pidgeon and Hina Bokhari, writing speeches, Mayor's questions, letters/planning objections, and participating in meetings with officials and community groups.
I oversaw our approach to the Mayor's Budget this year. I identified ULEZ mitigations as a suitable topic, since the Party in South-West London was coming under pressure from residents over the costs of compliance. At the first consideration of the Budget in January, I researched and wrote our Amendment, drawing on discussions with Finance Officers and proceduralists, wrote the speeches to move and second the motion, and gave on the spot advice by Whatsapp during the sitting. Despite having just two out of 25 Members, we were successful in amending the Budget. Of course, the Mayor removed the amendment, but at the final consideration in February, I reworked our approach. I split our two offers - money for scrappage and more buses - as the Mayor's argument against buses was superficially plausible. Labour was forced to reject doubling the scrappage scheme without hiding behind the bus objections. We united the Assembly against Labour and the Mayor, enhanced our Group's reputation and strengthened our Party position with constituents. Sarah Olney MP was reportedly "delighted" with the February Amendments, while Caroline and Hina were applauded at an otherwise angry People's Question Time. I was proud of the contribution I made, identifying the topic, drafting the motions, writing the speeches.
2021 - present
London representative, National Council, European Movement
Member, International Committee, European Movement
I was elected to one of the London rep places on the EM National Council, in which capacity I report back to London4EU.
I make regular contributions to bi-monthly National Council meetings. Most of my contributions are in favour of a more active Rejoin stance, pursuing links with parliamentarians, and improving internal democracy.
I was Campaign Manager for Tom Brake's candidacy for Chair of the European Movement, leading a diverse team including well-known public figures, LibDem officials, National Council Members and ordinary members.
EM Audit Committee Member and Chair of City of London Access Group Amanda Jacobs has become a close collaborator:
"Paul and I regularly collaborate across party lines on the National Council of the European Movement."
I have published three blogs on the EU accession process on the London4EU website.
Other relevant activities include:
Publications
Non-fiction
In progress, “Conflict, Humanitarian intervention, Peacekeeping and Peace Building,” in Wilton Park and the World – the policies and power of international understanding, eds N Hopkinson & H Nehring, due 2023
“Rejoining the EU – (1) Assessing the Application,” London4Europe, 10 February 2022
“Rejoining the EU – (2) The Screening Process,” London4Europe, 10 February 2022
“Rejoining the EU – responses to the responses,” London4Europe, 20 March 2022
Multiple House of Commons Library Briefing Papers, automated list here
Parliamentary Research Manual, co-editor with O Bennett & D Hurst, 2017
Members of Parliament 1979-2010, editor, 2011
“UN and Mediterranean Region,” in Mediterranean Security and Beyond, ed B George, 2005
“Anti-personnel mines and the policies of two British governments,” co-author with T Dodd, RUSI Journal, February 1998
Poetry
“Sound again” – Cotswolds Writers Circle magazine, late 1990s
“St Michael’s Passion” – Greenbeards online poetry journal, c2008
“Weekend” – Momaya Poetry Review, 2018
Short Fiction
“Storm Joy,” winner, short story category, Red Bubble writing and visual art competition, Gaia: the living planet, 2008
“Big Head,” highly commended, Cadenza short story competition, March 2008
“Should there be others,” honourable mention, The Smoking Poet short story competition, 2008
“Foxhole,” finalist, short story category, Red Bubble writing and visual art competition, In the moment, 2008
Full-length fiction
“The Panda Chronicles,” 2013, 2nd ed, 2018, self-published
Training
Copywriting for Marketers, residential course, Chartered Institute of Marketing, 2005
1-year Ashridge Business School bespoke management programme, 2004-05
Prince 2 introductory course, 2008
Film
Writer, director, producer two short films
"South For Winter,” 2003, 35mm, colour, 11 mins
Best Actress and Best Photography, Brussels and New York legs of Without Frontiers Festival 2004
Shown at Portobello Film Festival 2004
“I Didn’t Say Anything,” 2000, digital video, colour, 5 mins
#pb4mp
1991 - PhD Social Anthropology, SOAS, University of London
1991 - 2018
Senior Researcher, House of Commons Library
Briefing, advising, drafting for MPs of all parties on an impartial basis. This covered confidential letters, for instance on casework, and longer papers scrutinising Government legislation that were circulated and published online.
I specialised in international affairs through the 1990s and early 2000s, covering subjects like the end of apartheid, the Rwandan genocide, the handover of Hong Kong, and the growth of UN peacekeeping. I helped Robin Cook develop a new China policy when he was Shadow Foreign Secretary. I took on the international law brief in 1997, covering Kosovo and September 11, while I led our research team through the Iraq War. My paper on legal issues in armed conflict was used as the basis for a briefing session for journalists on the eve of the Iraq War. I also wrote our paper on the International Criminal Court, including its establishment and UK legislation to enable ratification.
After spending some time managing in our public engagement directorate, I went back to research in our Parliament and Constitution Centre. I covered devolution, religion and the Crown, plus briefly the House of Lords. In this role I briefed MPs on legislation successively developing devolution in Scotland and Wales, on the collapse of the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2017, and I led colleagues across Parliament in covering the Scottish Independence Referendum in 2014. My paper on the Succession to the Crown Bill was used by civil servants to brief Ministers before a meeting with backbenchers. I also gave advice on potential voting systems for an elected upper chamber.
2022 - present
Senior Research Officer, Liberal Democrat Group, London Assembly
I am fully involved in the development of policy and strategy, as well as briefing our Members, Caroline Pidgeon and Hina Bokhari, writing speeches, Mayor's questions, letters/planning objections, and participating in meetings with officials and community groups.
I oversaw our approach to the Mayor's Budget this year. I identified ULEZ mitigations as a suitable topic, since the Party in South-West London was coming under pressure from residents over the costs of compliance. At the first consideration of the Budget in January, I researched and wrote our Amendment, drawing on discussions with Finance Officers and proceduralists, wrote the speeches to move and second the motion, and gave on the spot advice by Whatsapp during the sitting. Despite having just two out of 25 Members, we were successful in amending the Budget. Of course, the Mayor removed the amendment, but at the final consideration in February, I reworked our approach. I split our two offers - money for scrappage and more buses - as the Mayor's argument against buses was superficially plausible. Labour was forced to reject doubling the scrappage scheme without hiding behind the bus objections. We united the Assembly against Labour and the Mayor, enhanced our Group's reputation and strengthened our Party position with constituents. Sarah Olney MP was reportedly "delighted" with the February Amendments, while Caroline and Hina were applauded at an otherwise angry People's Question Time. I was proud of the contribution I made, identifying the topic, drafting the motions, writing the speeches.
2021 - present
London representative, National Council, European Movement
Member, International Committee, European Movement
I was elected to one of the London rep places on the EM National Council, in which capacity I report back to London4EU.
I make regular contributions to bi-monthly National Council meetings. Most of my contributions are in favour of a more active Rejoin stance, pursuing links with parliamentarians, and improving internal democracy.
I was Campaign Manager for Tom Brake's candidacy for Chair of the European Movement, leading a diverse team including well-known public figures, LibDem officials, National Council Members and ordinary members.
EM Audit Committee Member and Chair of City of London Access Group Amanda Jacobs has become a close collaborator:
"Paul and I regularly collaborate across party lines on the National Council of the European Movement."
I have published three blogs on the EU accession process on the London4EU website.
Other relevant activities include:
Publications
Non-fiction
In progress, “Conflict, Humanitarian intervention, Peacekeeping and Peace Building,” in Wilton Park and the World – the policies and power of international understanding, eds N Hopkinson & H Nehring, due 2023
“Rejoining the EU – (1) Assessing the Application,” London4Europe, 10 February 2022
“Rejoining the EU – (2) The Screening Process,” London4Europe, 10 February 2022
“Rejoining the EU – responses to the responses,” London4Europe, 20 March 2022
Multiple House of Commons Library Briefing Papers, automated list here
Parliamentary Research Manual, co-editor with O Bennett & D Hurst, 2017
Members of Parliament 1979-2010, editor, 2011
“UN and Mediterranean Region,” in Mediterranean Security and Beyond, ed B George, 2005
“Anti-personnel mines and the policies of two British governments,” co-author with T Dodd, RUSI Journal, February 1998
Poetry
“Sound again” – Cotswolds Writers Circle magazine, late 1990s
“St Michael’s Passion” – Greenbeards online poetry journal, c2008
“Weekend” – Momaya Poetry Review, 2018
Short Fiction
“Storm Joy,” winner, short story category, Red Bubble writing and visual art competition, Gaia: the living planet, 2008
“Big Head,” highly commended, Cadenza short story competition, March 2008
“Should there be others,” honourable mention, The Smoking Poet short story competition, 2008
“Foxhole,” finalist, short story category, Red Bubble writing and visual art competition, In the moment, 2008
Full-length fiction
“The Panda Chronicles,” 2013, 2nd ed, 2018, self-published
Training
Copywriting for Marketers, residential course, Chartered Institute of Marketing, 2005
1-year Ashridge Business School bespoke management programme, 2004-05
Prince 2 introductory course, 2008
Film
Writer, director, producer two short films
"South For Winter,” 2003, 35mm, colour, 11 mins
Best Actress and Best Photography, Brussels and New York legs of Without Frontiers Festival 2004
Shown at Portobello Film Festival 2004
“I Didn’t Say Anything,” 2000, digital video, colour, 5 mins
#pb4mp