The first vote of the Parliament took place in the Lords yesterday and the Government lost it. It was on a procedural point as to whether the Local Government Bill was a hybrid Bill or not: that is, a public bill that affects private interests different from other interests in the same class. If it…
Now that the House and Lords of the Blog are back in action, I thought I would resume the weekly test of readers’ knowledge about the Lords. This week there are three questions about the current membership. As usual, the first two readers to supply the correct answers will be the winners. 1. Who is…
I am always amazed, but no longer surprised, by how any critical story affecting Parliament is used by some to claim it makes the case for an elected second chamber. Take the scandal over parliamentary expenses. Some people said this made the case for an elected second chamber. What? It is not clear why another…
Earl Ferrers was on form yesterday when he moved the motion for the loyal address. He noted that he been in the House for 55 years, but this was the first time he had been invited to move the loyal address. “Your Lordships will soon find out why.” He then made one of his characteristically witty but incisive…
At the State Opening today, the Sword of State and the Cap of Maintenance were carried in procession in front of the Queen. Various people have asked about the origins of the Cap of Maintenance. Some sources claim the origins have been lost in time. However, I am reliably informed by Lord Wakeham – who had…
