When a new Speaker is elected by the Commons, the approbation of the monarch is required. Rather than attend in person, the monarch conveys that approbation through a royal commission. MPs are summoned to the bar of the House of Lords and the commission – comprising the Lord Chancellor and the leaders of the parties…
In this week’s quiz, I asked respondents to identify three women peers presently in the House who have served as Cabinet ministers in the House of Commons. Seven readers – Michael, stephenpaterson, Croft, Len, Jonathan, AJackson and Steph – responded, each correctly identifying three women peers (such as Baronesses Bottomley, Thatcher and Williams of Crosby) who have served…
I have been struck by how many people comment on the weekly quiz question. It is a regular topic of conversation whenever the blog gets mentioned. Readers appear to enjoy reading it, attempting it (not necessarily by writing in), or finding out what the answers are. I know some like to attempt it without reading…
Lords of the Blog had a coming of age party on Thursday. A number of us celebrated with Hansard and House of Lords staff. The experimental stage has come to an end and we are now an established and ongoing operation. Our readers have helped make this a success – especially those who responded to…
Lord Norton is sad to see the Law Lords go but of course my getting a new office in the Palace depended on their going so I’m selfishly delighted. But I do really approve the idea of the Supreme Court being detached from parliament, although of course it was in effect detached in the way…
There was a judicial sitting of the House yesterday morning. It followed the usual procedures. However, upstairs on the second floor where the law lords are located, everything is not as usual. Packing is already under way in preparation for the move to the Supreme Court. The House will rise in just over two weeks. When we resume…
Both Houses rise for the summer recess on 21 July. We are going to be very busy over the next couple of weeks. Take next week: on Monday, we have the Policing and Crime Bill (its third day in committee); on Tuesday, the Coroners and Justice Bill (its fifth day in committee); on Wednesday, the Second Reading…
A latish evening last night in the Coroners and Justice Bill Committee in the Chamber. We finally got round to the homicide parts of the bill, which include various changes in the criteria for the partial defence of diminished responsibility. I had a number of amendments to speak to and was obliged therefore to participate…
You’ll notice today that the look and feel of the blog has changed. You’ll see a new, cleaner interface and some changes and improvements to the layout. These have been carried out by digital design agency Reading Room. Just for today, however, you’ll have to bear with us as the implementation means things will move…
