Yesterday, the Speaker in each House announced the death of a member. In the Commons, it was the redoubtable Gwyneth Dunwoody. In the Lords, it was Lord Beaumont of Whitley (pictured). Both were notable for being willing to speak their minds. Lord Beaumont’s death robs Parliament of its only Green member. Tim Beaumont was a notable…
The House on Friday will be debating a motion moved by the Archbishop of Canterbury. I am regularly asked about the role of the Bishops in the House. It clearly fascinates some people. There is interest in what they do as well as what can and should be done about the representation of other faiths.…
Given the time I spend in Westminster, I normally utilise weekends to catch up on research and administration. Part of the time is given over to teaching on an online degree we offer – the MA in Legislative Studies Online. Part of this weekend is also given over to making arrangements for a biennial conference…
Matt asks how I became a Lord. This is the question I am most frequently asked when I speak to student audiences on the role of the Lords. The answer is that I had a ‘phone call, completely out of the blue. I was sat at my desk in the university one morning: well, at just…
One question posed by ladytizzy is: does the Queen have a regular consultation with a representative of the House of Lords, similar to the weekly audience with the PM? The answer is straightforward: no. There is no reason why she should. She sees the PM in his capacity as her principal minister, not as a…
