I had planned to do a post on last week’s two-day debate on the Government’s White Paper and draft Bill on the future of the House of Lords, but decided that as others had already covered it, your interest may already have been satisfied.  I did speak in the debate – I had the good fortune to be the first speaker on the second day – and anyone wanting to read what I said can do so here.

Tomorrow (Monday) we turn to reform from a more immediate, and constructive, perspective.  We are debating the report of the Leader’s Group on the Working Practices of the House.  This is a  wide-ranging report, with 55 recommendations.  The focus, though, is clear: it is to strengthen the House in scrutinising the actions and legislation of government.   We have more than forty peers speaking in the debate.  I hope it will contribute to the pressure to agree and implement change as a matter of urgency.