One new peer recently asked if I had any advice for a new member. There are a few points I would offer. I thought I would share these with readers, especially those who are avid viewers of BBC Parliament, as one can observe debates to see to what extent they are followed. 1. Get to…
The Lords returned yesterday. The main business was a debate on the role of the charitable sector in strengthening civil society, introduced for the Government by Lord Taylor of Holbeach. Thirty-seven peers spoke in the debate. It was an extremely good debate, notable for the fact that no less than seven new peers made maiden speeches. Perhaps the…
Because of the number of new members introduced into the House, we are having a good number of maiden speeches. In a recent debate on women in society, we had no fewer than seven maiden speeches. In yesterday’s debate on the Finance Bill, there were two. I rather enjoyed the opening of the short maiden…
The House has begun five days of debate on the Queen’s Speech. I have been sat in the chamber listening to today’s debate, which focuses on foreign and European affairs, international development and defence. Though different topics are allocated to each day, the five days of debate are deemed to constitute one debate on the…
