The quiz returns in its usual weekend slot in order to give readers time to submit answers. The focus is on the Queen’s Speech. The first reader to provide the correct answers will be the winner. The prize will be a copy of The Voice of the Backbenchers, unless the winner is Jonathan, who won…
When I chaired the Constitution Committee in the Lords, one of our major reports was on Parliament and the Legislative Process. Later this year will mark the tenth anniversary of its publication. We examined the whole legislative process, including pre- and post-legislative scrutiny. We were keen not only to see pre-legislative scrutiny (examining Bills in draft)…
A number of readers have lamented the absence in recent months of the quiz, so I thought I would reintroduce it, not least in the period of prorogation. This time there is a difference in that there will be a tangible prize: a copy of my The Voice of the Backbenchers. It will be winging…
Parliament was prorogued this evening. Prior to prorogation, remaining Bills that have passed all their stages receive Royal Assent. One of the Bills getting Royal Assent tonight was the Byles Bill – now the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. We thus have in place provision for the expulsion of any member sentenced to a term…
I have done a post on my own blog on the problem of politicians who regularly lament the fact that there is too much legislation, but then complain when the Government does not have that many Bills to bring before Parliament. The fact that there is not much legislation is the reason for Parliament being prorogued a…
