There is frequent discussion of a decline in trust in Parliament. According to Eurobarometer data from earlier this year, 27 per cent of the population trust Parliament. This compares with 34 per cent six months before. In some countries, such as Denmark, more than 70 per cent of those questioned trust Parliament. There may thus be…
Between the start of a session and the following Easter recess, Thursdays in the House are given over to debates on topics chosen by the parties (or cross-benchers) or individual peers. The motions in the names of the individual peers are chosen by ballot. On Thursdays reserved for these motions, two are selected, each being debated…
I have served on committees throughout the ten years that I have been a member of the Lords. However, I have spent even longer making the occasional appearance before committees. My first appearance before a parliamentary committee at Westminster was in 1984 and before a committee of an overseas legislature in 1985. This morning I gave evidence to…
In response to my earlier post on improving communications, Mike asked if I would reproduce the Questions that I have tabled on Government consultation exercises. They were published today: Tabled on 12 November and due for answer by 26 November. Lord Norton of Louth to ask Her Majesty’s Government why the Cabinet Office removed its webpage listing…
A week last Friday, I spoke at two schools, the John Cleveland College in Hinckley, Leicestershire, and Queen Margaret’s School, York. I was initially invited to talk about constitutional change but each opted for a more specific talk on the role of the Lords. Last Friday, I also spoke on Lords reform at a sixth-form conference in…
