Yesterday, the Speaker in each House announced the death of a member.  In the Commons, it was the redoubtable Gwyneth Dunwoody.  In the Lords, it was Lord Beaumont of Whitley (pictured). 

Both were notable for being willing to speak their minds.  Lord Beaumont’s death robs Parliament of its only Green member. 

Tim Beaumont was a notable individual.  He inherited wealth but gave most of it away.   He was an ordained priest; for many years he was a leading figure in the Liberal Party before moving to join the Green Party.   He was also a great supporter of the House of Lords.  Though the Green Party favours an elected House, this was not the line he took: he spoke out in support of maintaining an appointed chamber. 

Though frail in recent months, he made a determined effort to attend the House until the Easter recess, dying a few days after the House had risen.

It was not formerly the practice to announce the death of a member unless they had held senior office (for example, former Prime Ministers), in which case tributes are paid.   On the recommendation of the new Lord Speaker, the death of any member is now announced at the start of a sitting.