Both Houses of Parliament dissolved on 12 April with the general election in the UK on 6 May.
We have been instructed by the House of Lords Administration that Lords of the Blog needs to observe the rules of purdah during the election period. We were hoping this would just mean careful management of content and comments but we have subsequently been advised that this could be insufficient.
So, given this blog’s close association with the House of Lords we have reluctantly agreed to suspend Lord of the Blog for the duration of the election. It will return on 18 May when Members of the House of Lords are sworn in before the start of the next Parliament.
In the meantime, we have agreed with the bloggers to set up an alternative blog that will run for the period of purdah. So, for the next few weeks, please join us at the Lords in Purdah…
You’ll also find Lord Norton’s new more personal blog, ‘Norton View’ at http://www.nortonview.wordpress.com
Andy Williamson, Hansard Society
It seems a bit odd that just as the democratic process gets into full swing posts from people who are politicians are stopped. What is the reason for this? Is it that civil servants administer the web site?
Why is this blog still stopped?
Is there an election on?
Odd isn’t the word I’ve used most 😉 Placing the blog on hold was not what we wanted however Government and Parliament have some clear rules when in the election period and we were advised that the site could be in breach of those. So we had little choice.
The blog is still stopped because the ‘election’ period extends until Parliament returns, which will be May 18.
Andy
Thank you Andy.
Oh Dear !! Lord Norton won’t be best pleased.
The Tories have capitulated to a House of Lords elected on proportional grounds !!
The aftershocks of coalition politics will be felt for some time !! Enjoy that ermine while you can, folks..