Wherever I go (on behalf of the Lord Speaker) to talk about the House of Lords I get asked how often I am here and what I do when I am.   Fair question, but difficult to answer.   Our work pattern varies so much – from week to week – that it is impossible to generalise.   And every Peer would have a completely different response.

For example, I had to get a very early train from Cornwall on Monday to be sure of being in the office in time to prepare for a big debate on the Marine and Coastal Access Bill.  At first, I thought that I might have to lead from our benches, because my colleague Lord (Tony) Greaves was stuck in Yorkshire, as a result of train emergencies.   Meanwhile, I had to prepare for a Question on the threat from blue-tongue to UK livestock.  We went into battle for a ban on the import of livestock which might bring the latest variant from the Continent.  I was able to produce expert evidence from the British Veterinary Association (whose President – from Cornwall – I had meet the previous week) that this type of blue-tongue is not susceptible to any licensed vaccine.  Based on my experience of the devastation of BSE and Foot & Mouth on my then farming constituents, and the whole rural community, any delay could be a catastrophe.  And we said so.

Just before the business moved on Tony Greaves appeared beside me.  Much relief.  However, I then had to listen to some 24 speakers, and to identify themes in their contributions with which I agreed, in order to make a “wind up” speech from the Liberal Democrat front bench at the end of the Marine bill debate.  We finished around 9 pm.

Tuesday brought another opportunity to question Ministers, this time about the problem of pesticide crop spraying, which can affect nearby residents – especially children.   A lively session followed, but the Minister (the very same Lord Hunt – he must be getting sick of seeing me there) was constrained by his lawyers from saying anything very much, and we could only agree that the problem needed early resolution, and indecision was not an acceptable option.

So to Wednesday, and a speech for the Democratic Audit, based at the University of Essex, with whom I have been preparing and publishing a critique of the Government’s dilution of its “constitutional renewal” proposals.   You will have seen what Lord Norton has had to say about the non-appearance of the promised bill.   Under the title “BEATING THE RETREAT – the Government’s Flight from Constitutional Reform” we chart the disappointed hopes of real change, giving Parliament more power to scrutinise and influence government legislation and executive action, which Gordon Brown raised last year and then dropped.   This booklet is required reading for anyone who values Parliamentary democracy, and is obtainable from the Democratic Audit team.

Tomorrow is another day, and (hopefully) another speech in Lord Norton’s debate on informing the public of what is going on in both Houses of Parliament, and listening to their views.   No doubt he will tell you more about that in due course.

Quite a week:  no peace for the wicked, they say, but roll on the Christmas Recess, say I.

PS   Only just prepared the above, and yet another call to action:   there is to be a Ministerial Statement on flooding problems, with particular reference to the Westcountry communities which have been so hard hit in recent years.   My colleague who would normally respond is away today, so I am drafted in to contribute.  Where oh where are my notes of the devastating North Cornwall floods four years ago?