Lord Strathclyde leader of the House, gave a star performance as the Government spokesman supporting this draft Bill which he clearly thinks is crazy! http://www.dpm.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/house-lords-reform-draft-bill Lord Strathclyde has never been a supporter of an elected House and it showed on his face if not in his words! Support from his own backbenchers was completely absent and I…
Last time I contributed to this blog I said I would bet money there would be a deal which enabled the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill to complete its passage in time for the referendum to take place on 5 May, and that the recent goings-on in the House would not cause the sky…
On the afternoon of 10th December 243 sixth formers from various schools debated the future of the House of Lords, in the Chamber of the House of Lords. The case was put for four alternatives – abolition, election, appointment and combination. Most students wanted to speak and the level of interest and debate was extremely good.…
Thursday was the most alarming day I’ve spent in Westminster. More so than the march against the Iraq war or the Countryside Alliance protest, the atmosphere was intimidating. It felt safer to stay put in the Palace of Westminster, and some Parliamentarians had problems getting in to do their jobs (see Clive Soley’s blog). Like…
There are a number of events on the horizon which together will re-ignite the debate about the future of the House of Lords. The Bill on Alternative Voting Systems and Constitutional Reform. Our new expenses. The expected influx of new Peers and the forthcoming report on Peers’ retirement. Only later will we have the proposals for an…
