Last week, we completed five days of debate on the Queen’s Speech. Each day was devoted to a number of topics. On Tuesday, we debated home affairs, legal affairs and constitutional issues. By the nature of the topics, speeches in such debates can vary greatly in terms of focus. This was certainly true of Tuesday’s…
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…
I have the distinction of being rather old. This is, of course, one reason why I greatly enjoy being in the House of Lords. I am lucky enough to have had a job all my life – five years working in Canada, 15 in the City of London, and then 23 years as a Member…
The recent death of Conservative peer Lord Cuckney has meant that the Conservative strength in the House of Lords has now dipped below 200, leaving it with seven less seats than the cross-benchers. According to the latest issue of The House Magazine, the composition of the House is now: Labour 214 Cross-benchers 206 Conservatives 199…
In response to my earlier post on tackling political alienation, a couple of respondents suggested increasing the transparency of Westminster – ‘losing the ivory tower effects of the Westminster village’ (DW) – and informing the public more about the basic operations of Parliament (Troika21). Compared with many other parliaments, Westminster is a transparent institution. Votes…
