I spoke on House of Lords reform (again!) in the Queens speech and like a growing number of members indicated that the way forward should be to set up a constituional convention as recommended in the alternative report on the draft Bill. This would allow us to look at the need for reform of the…
There was the usual pageantry for the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday. Given that it was a two-year session, some new peers were attending the ceremony for the first time. The chamber was packed. (One year, there were empty benches at the back, the result apparently of a shortage of robes. ) The timetable doesn’t change, so everyone knows the…
This completes my current entry following the other three posts below. So where do we go from here. Saying ‘no’ to the present Bill is common sense but what is the alternative. Both Houses need reform but if we are not to re write our constitution then it needs to be gradualist. Tony Blair took…
This is the third part of my article on Lords reform and follows from the two below. Read this and then prepare yourself in body and soul for the last terrifying instalment! This brings me to the critically important issue of the scrutiny of legislation. Select Committees in the Commons do a good job on…
This section deals with another problem associated with the Government draft Bill. It follows on from my post below. I agreed to go to the Lords in 2005 and I remember going in for the first time and seeing a line of wheel chairs plugged in to charging points – and the debate was on…
