Titles are a subject of contention (should a peerage carry a right to a seat in the upper house?) and of confusion. To illustrate the last point let me open with an admission. I am not Lord Norton! I am Lord Norton of Louth. When I became a peer, there was (and still is) a…
I shall be in Brussels tomorrow visiting the European Parliament. Most of my visits are normally in a parliamentary capacity, though this visit is primarily for academic purposes. Brussels is handy for Eurostar, though the split site for the EP (Brussels and Strasbourg), with MEPs decanting to Strasbourg for a week each month, remains a…
Are referendums a good or bad idea? We had lengthy discussions in the Lords on the issue when the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Bill was before the House. Parliament has legislated for referendums in different parts of the UK and they have been promised by political parties on different issues. The question of a…
The work of the House of Lords should not be confused with sittings of the House. A great deal of work takes place in committees – indeed, committee work can be much more time consuming that participating in debates in the chamber – and in peers’ offices. Committee work entails not only attending meetings but…
Various people who have commented on our posts have asked for a diary piece or some indication of what we do. Here’s my diary for yesterday and today. Wednesday. Tube to Golders Green for a 9.00 a.m. talk to talk to Y11 students at King Alfred School on the role of the House of Lords.…
