New peers continue to be introduced while the House discusses how to reduce the high membership. This week’s quiz focuses on new peers or those who are about to be introduced to the House. As usual, the first two readers to supply the correct answers will be the winners.
1. I have just been introduced. I am one of the country’s leading contemporary historians. Who am I? Name one of my books.
2. I shall shortly join the Lords. My father-in-law is already a member. My husband is an MP. Who am I?
3. I am the daughter of a political philosopher. I will be joining the Lords having previously served as a Labour MP. I lost my seat in one of the most bitter election contests of 2005. Who am I?
4. I will be joining the Lords having previously served as an MP for a few months short of 40 years. I was twice a candidate for the Speakership. Who am I?
1) Hennessy of Nympsfield – The Hidden Wiring: Unearthing the British Constitution
2) Anne Jenkin
3) Oona King
4) I initially thought it was Michael Lord but it must be Sir Patrick Cormack
1. Lord Hennessy of Nympsfield
2. Anne Jenkin
3. Oona King
4. Sir Patrick Cormack
I didn’t read the questions properly again. Well, Peter Hennessy wrote a book called “Having it so good : Britain in the fifties” which seems topical for this past week.
1) Hennessy of Nympsfield
3) Oona King
4) Sir Patrick Cormack
2) is very tricky
aha, 2) is Anne Jenkin, Bernard Jenkin’s wife.
and a title of one of Prof Hennessey’s books is: The Prime Minister: The Office and Its Holders since 1945
Congratulations to Croft, Jonathan and Chris K. who identify the four new peers in question. (As Croft recognises in the fourth question, the length of parliamentary service is what means the answer is Patrick Cormack rather than Michael Lord.) However, there is a tricky issue in that Jonathan got in first before Chris K. with the four names, but omitted to name one of Lord Hennessy’s books – only doing so after Chris K. had submitted a full response. I think the best thing to do is be generous and declare all three to be winners.