Tag Archives: Lord Rooker

A telling observation

Lord Norton 30/06/2010 – 7:18 pm

Among the best speeches in yesterday's debate on Lords reform were those made by Lord Cope of Berkeley on the Conservative benches, Lord Walton of Detchant on the cross-benches and Lord Rooker on the Labour benches.  Lord Rooker drew on his experience in both Houses, including as a minister.  One of his most telling observations was: "After 27 years in the Commons, the last four as a Minist […]

Strengthening the House

Lord Norton 25/02/2010 – 8:19 pm

As mentioned in an earlier post, I was successful in the ballot for a Thursday debate and my motion - to call attention to the case for enhancing the means available to the House of Lords to scrutinise legislation and public policy - occupied the the first of today's two debates.  The debate was notable for the quality as well as the quantity of speakers.  They included all three party leader […]

Ministers in the Lords

Lord Norton 01/09/2008 – 7:30 pm

Earlier this year, I was asked to do a post on the role of ministers in the Lords.  Normally the number of ministers sitting in the Lords is just over twenty, representing approximately twenty per cent of ministers.  They usually include two Cabinet members (the Leader of the House and now the Chief Whip - previously  it was the Lord Chancellor and the Leader); the Attorney General also sits in […]