Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill

Personally, I have always been very much in favour of having such a day, and I would very much like to see it happen. I am pleased that the hon. Gentleman is obviously regretting its absence, although I am not altogether sure why he is doing so. Anyway, I would be happy to carry on that conversation with him. Right, does anyone else want to intervene? Not yet? Okay, very good. On we go. The hon. and learned Member for Beaconsfield mentioned my letter to him about the deliberative events—[Hon. Members: "Read it out!"] I am going to read it out. I think that he referred to it as "hysterical". This is how it starts:""Dear Dominic,""As always it was good to talk to you yesterday,"—" That is true. It is always good to talk to you, Dominic—""but I am sorry you have ruled out participating in the deliberative events on a statement of values. The government's commitment is…to an innovative deliberative process which transfers the decision-taking from government to the people."" I then expressed regret that you were not taking part in this, and went on:""Your refusal to take part in any way speaks of nothing but your party's unwillingness to engage constructively with the people we all serve on an issue that matters deeply to them. I regret this and, should you wish to change your mind,"—" I very much hope that the hon. and learned Gentleman will do so—""you would still be very welcome to take part."" I now extend that invitation to you or to any of your colleagues who want to take part—