Iain Dale has drawn attention to the Plain English Campaign which, as it says on its website, has invited “all MPs and their staff to send us their nominations for the best (clearest) and worst (most ridden with gobbledygook) documents that they have seen this year in Parliament.” Why, one wonders, have they not written to…
On a lighter note, some of you may wonder what a Lord does during his holidays. Doubtless the image of a gent wearing ermine, a horsehair wig and Bermuda shorts sitting on some sunny beach has crossed your mind, but the work does never really stops. The seemingly unstoppable post continues to arrive, the phones…
The economic/financial crisis emerged during Parliament’s summer recess, although of course the roots go much further back. Some peers have beeen grumbling in the tea rooms that Parliament should have been recalled at least to debate this historic event, with potentially far-reaching political consequences. The most recent Finance Act authorised the Government to take decisions about the…
At 2.30 pm last Monday the House of Lords Chamber was packed. It is normally full, in anticipation of ministerial questions but there was a particular reason why the noble lords were high in number. At 2.37 precisely, a new Peer Elect wafted into the chamber, to be elevated into the nobility. I had met…
The appointment of Peter Mandelson has rather overshadowed the appointment of Stephen Carter and Paul Myners, both appointed ministers and elevated to the Lords. The appointment of Paul Myners is noteworthy because of the position to which he has been appointed – Exchequer Secretary in the Treasury. Given the financial privilege of the Commons, and…
A number of comments on my last posting (“Freedom of Choice“) asked for more information on the cross-party proposals to make the House of Lords more representative and responsive to the public. I think it would be inappropriate to go into detail on this inevitably controversial issue here, but readers may like to look at…
My colleague, Baroness O’Cathain, has just returned from observing elections in Azerbaijan. She was conscious that the security of voting was better than in the UK. However, what struck her especially was the fact the election day was a national holiday. That prompts the question: is that something we should be contemplating? I know that studies have…
Peter Mandelson was introduced into the House on Monday and made his maiden speech today. He moved the Enterprise Act 2002 (Specification of Additional Section 58 Consideration) Order 2008, which may sound dull and technical but which was actually extremely important. It provides the opportunity for the minister to intervene in the TSB/HBOS merger talks…
The Government’s decision to drop the 42 days was right in view of the extensive opposition. I hope such legislation never becomes necessary but modern terrorism is an ever more serious problem. When the Government announced their decision not to proceed with 42 days a number of opposition members complained that the Home Secretary had suggested they…
