FOUR months after the Government told me they have ‘no plans’ to crack down on British overseas tax havens, David Cameron changes his mind.

I asked him to persuade his pal Lord Blencathra to stop lobbying for the Cayman Islands tax haven.

He said he would look at the problem.

The Lords watchdog agreed with me last year that the peer’s conduct merited investigation. They decided that nothing could be done.

Blencathra was judged to be lobbying as a private person not a parliamentarian.

Loopholes in Lords lobbying rules are so cavernous, ten lords-a-leaping could dance through them without touching the sides.

● At a ceremony in Newport Jayne Bryant remembered a local Suffragette heroine who tried to blow up a post box 100 years ago.

Viscountess Rhondda was a reluctant militant and a rotten arsonist.

The post box is still there – now decorated with ribbons in Suffragette colours. Those who sacrificed to create our democracy are largely invisible in Parliament. Royalty, who obstructed all democratic reforms are over-represented.

More Chartists, Tolpuddle Martyrs and Levellers celebrations please.

● Lloyd George said it was foolish to try to cross a chasm with two leaps. Reform of Lords has flopped with four leaps.

Lord Steele forlornly offered his new protozoan bill to a Select Committee. I asked: “If Nick Clegg’s bill is a full loaf, is yours a mere crumb?” “Yes,” he said. We have waited 110 years for Lords Reform.

Another century before progress is likely?

● Pure pleasure of visiting Malpas Court Primary School twice recently. Children bright, inquisitive, frank and optimistic. Special speech unit was enjoying a visit from AFASIC Cymru. A young man role model, who had remarkably overcome his speech problems, inspired.

The children staged a wonderful international extravaganza as each class celebrated overseas land in music and costumes. Homage to staff, advisers and the children they cherish.

● Rare to get real news in Commons oral answer. I asked the defence secretary to ban former civil servants, ministers and generals from grabbing retirement jobs from defence firms they had rewarded with lucrative contracts while in office. This would encourage deals in favour of the public purse not in pursuit of a hacienda in Spain bought with retirement earnings?

Philip Hammond said he tried to do that last year. He replied: “The advice I received was that it would not be lawful.”

Hope that’s not advice from a senior civil servant.