Tag Archive for Debates

Contribute to the debate…

Lord Norton

This is perhaps an especially apt post given Lord Renton’s guest contribution.   I mentioned in an earlier post that I would be trying to get a debate this session on improving the ways in which Parliament communicates with the public.   I am pleased to report that I have been successful in the ballot and have secured…

Pursuing parliamentary transparency

Lord Norton

Between the start of a session and the following Easter recess, Thursdays in the House are given over to debates on topics chosen by the parties (or cross-benchers) or individual peers.  The motions in the names of the individual peers are chosen by ballot.  On Thursdays reserved for these motions, two are selected, each being debated…

Silence in the House

Lord Norton

My colleague, Lord Rowlands, a former Chairman of the History of Parliament Trust, has written a fascinating study of the House of Lords in the early eighteenth century.  It reveals some notable differences from the present House.  Then as now, debates could be lengthy.  However, so too could speeches, with a peer sometimes speaking for…

Saying what we mean

Baroness Murphy

Following on from Lord Norton, my favourite Ministerial response is “As the noble Lord will recognise” which can mean “I’m desperately trying to remember my briefing note on this point, give me a second to collect my thoughts” or ” Come off it you idiot, you’re definitely wrong” depending on context. There are some long-serving…

Saying what we mean

Lord Norton

The House is now back from the Easter recess and busy debating.  Peers have a reputation for being extremely polite to one another.  Even insults are couched in language that sometimes means it is a few minutes before victims realise they have been criticised.  Given that we sometimes hide what we really mean in decorous language,…