Howridiculous asked if I would make ‘Wit of Westminster’ a regular item. The extent to which humour is brought into debates depends primarily of course on members. Some can be extremely witty, whereas a few take themselves so seriously that they would never dream of saying anything that may cause laughter. There is one occasion each…
On the Parliament Channel, coverage of the House of Commons takes precedence over the House of Lords. I understand why the Commons takes precedence, but a friend, Ken Batty, has raised with me the question of why there needs to be a hierarchy. Why cannot coverage be split-screen, enabling viewers to see and choose between the…
Some of the most amusing comments in the House have come from the formidable Baroness Trumpington (second from the right in the photograph). Over the years – she was elevated to the peerage in 1980 – she has come out with a number of notable one-liners. A few years ago, there was a question on the…
Howridiculous asked me if I would give examples of humorous contributions made by peers in debate. The House takes issues seriously, but it appreciates the occasional flash of humour. Several instances come to mind. There was an occasion when Lord Whitty was a minister, answering a question on the effect of the use of mobile ‘phones…
Most of the time of the Lords is given over to legislative scrutiny. Spare a thought, therefore, for those peers who sit on the Opposition front benches. They have to spend hours in the chamber when a Bill falling within their portfolio is going through the House. It can mean long hours not just on one…
