This is perhaps an especially apt post given Lord Renton’s guest contribution. I mentioned in an earlier post that I would be trying to get a debate this session on improving the ways in which Parliament communicates with the public. I am pleased to report that I have been successful in the ballot and have secured…
Some readers have invited me to comment on the constitutional crisis in Canada. In October, a minority Conservative government was returned to office. Today it was due to face a vote of no confidence. Opposition parties had agreed to support the motion, with the almost certain result that the vote would be carried. However, no…
As many students of Parliament – and certainly those who work within the institution – will know, the libraries of both Houses produce some excellent research papers and briefing notes. Those interested in obtaining some objective and invaluable background information on the issue of parliamentary privilege – which has come to the fore in the…
This weekend’s quiz questions. The House of Commons has a promiment member who is blind (David Blunkett, a university classmate of mine.) He is not the first blind member to sit in the House of Commons. The House of Lords also has had a number of members who have been blind. One of them was…
As regular readers will know, the peers who propose and second the motion on the loyal address (thanking the Queen for her speech) are expected to inject humour into their speeches. The speakers yesterday – former Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer of Thoroton and Labour back-bencher Baroness Ford – did not disappoint. Baroness Ford recalled the…
