The Commons rose yesterday for Christmas and the Lords rise today. MPs and peers are decanting Westminster as quickly as they can, a combination of a desire to get away and to get home before the weather gets any worse. My attachment to the place is such that I am never in any hurry to…
The new Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod and Serjeant at Arms of the House of Lords – commonly known as Black Rod – has been appointed. Lieutenant General David Leakey, CMG, CBE succeeds Lt Gen. Sir Freddie Viggers who retired because of ill health. General Leakey takes up the appointment on 1 February.
Yesterday was the sixth day in committee on the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill. The Bill has not made rapid progress and yesterday consideration of the Bill was limited by the fact that there were two ministerial statements, an urgent question allowed in the Commons repeated as a statement, and a one-hour Question for…
The media last Thursday tended to concentrate on the publication of the Constitution Committee’s report on the Fixed-term Parliaments Bill rather than on the Lord Chief Justice’s appearance before the committee the previous day. However, on Friday, The Guardian carried a report on his Lordship’s evidence. It focused on his criticisms of Schedule 7 of the…
There are many all-party groups in Parliament. They draw on members from different parties, hence the name, as well as members from both Houses. Some, such as the all-party group on breast cancer, are especially active. Peers chair a good many groups. This week’s quiz focuses on all-party groups chaired by peers. As usual, the…
