I wrote almost exactly two years ago about the failings of so-called ‘self-regulation’ in the Lords. Despite the jaded tone of the piece, I was genuinely optimistic that a group set up by Lord Strathclyde – under the able Chairmanship of Lord Goodlad – would come forward with good proposals to improve things and these would be taken on.
The first happened, the second didn’t. That is, Lord Goodlad and his group came with a well-argued set of rational proposals to improve the way we conduct our business, but much of the advice has simply been ignored.
This was the theme of a debate on working practices in which I spoke yesterday, when once again a large number of Peers had put their names down to speak, yet we were strictly time-limited to 2.5 hours so each of us could only opine for four minutes.
Who had taken the decision on this, in our ‘self-regulating’ House? The so-called “usual channels”, of course. A private negotiation between Government and Opposition frontbenches, with no recourse at all to what anyone else had to say.
Then, that very evening, the Government announced that because the Prime Minister isn’t much keen on what members of the House of Lords are attempting to do with the Electoral Registration and Administration Bill, they would simply ‘pull’ the business for Monday. Presumably they hope that by delaying matters, their problems will go away and the Lords will fall into line.
I doubt Ministers are right to think that. Our House may not really be self-regulating, but isn’t usually self-defeating either.
Patented paper barons! Lord Strathclyde wears a foolscap upon which is written a prepared speech. We learn that the house is doing the work of primacy because timetables prevent committee stage bills receiving full scrutiny in the Commons.
Lord Norton in absence then learns why a standards committee is not such a good idea; it frightens the ladies.
We learn that Gary McKinnon is now aged 35 and a speaker uses the word ‘Engineer’ only to be followed by a Lady calling him a dog something that turns his smile upside down. A Lord overruns the four minute mile and is persuaded by the front bench that he has pushed his luck too far.
A new grandmother escapes her baby sitting duties to talk of Speaker concerns that public perception of Parliament must see competency at work if the electorate are to pursue their politics in earnest.
A Lord familiar with penal reform speaks of a poorly drafted Legal Aid, Sentencing and Rehabilitation of Offenders Bill and Lord Strathclyde then recalls his life sentence on the Procedure Committee.
Then he pours cold water on the idea of topical debates whilst feeling unable to offer to pick names at random from his hat. He talks of badgers and culling and infers the ‘Liverpool Pathway’ awaits many.
Gushing he is for a directly elected house that represents the plebeian but fears the competency of such a house might weaken the other place.
All and more in the uncompromising pages of Hansard.
@Lord Tyler:
They are pushing aside the sensible because it is not felt to be in their best interests. And any smoke screen they may find to put a buffer between it and them will be used to make sure no shake up ever takes place.
Whoever wants to take matters forward will have to stand up and expose the curds in the bunch. I think it’s called ‘publish and be damned.’
Lord Tyler,
Where is the argument for the House of Lords?
What function does the Ouse of Lords fulfill in this context with no ability to convene discussions on regulation of the House of Lords?
The House of Commons playing with theHL from TenDowning? If there were an play, what would be the goal?
I hope the HoL finds its voice within necessary protocols.
Google+ EUReformation
Dear Lord Tyler,
I am so happy you are at last around as it does seem an eternity before you decide to speak anew. Regarding self regulating lords, I am sure, dear lord Tyler, it is a matter of organisation. The chief lord should be able to handle this matter and I can sense if you had been the chief lord, things would have been changed. May be if you could select your junior lords to help you around,I am sure that partipants irrespectfully of their nationalities would like to join the house of lords. I bet that her Majesty would accept this idea and would like to invite all willing lords and junior Lords around a cup of tea to discuss this matter.I wish I could be around to share this cup of tea together with other participants to propose ideas on how to change the policies of the house of Lords which should be opened to all European citizens not only to common wealth citizens.
I am sure you are smiling around dear Lord Tyler but approve my interesting idea and so does her Majesty.
We could all make a good team and change the policy of the house of the lords. God bless thee. Please be around more often. I am sure that you have been missed so much.
Thankyou
God bless the United Kingdom. God save the Queen and the Lords.
Nazma FOURRE