This week sees the beginning of the long summer recess for both the Lords and Commons, but with the Lords working an extra day. This ought not be remarkable as long as events are proceeding in a normal way. But they are not. The Commons finish on Tuesday. For a small group of backbenchers who…
The House of Commons rose for the summer recess on Tuesday and the House of Lords on Wednesday. By the end of Wednesday, after the House had risen, there was still a good deal of activity. The Despatch Box (the snack bar) in the Atrium in Portcullis House was well patronised. The giveaway that we…
What do peers do during the recess? For me, it provides relief from the horrors of commuting on the train and the underground, a two and a quarter hour journey from door to door, and from living out of a suitcase for two or three nights a week in London. I know many people do…
The focus of the activity in both Houses is the chamber. If the Houses are not sitting, or even if they are but the chambers are not full, there appears to be an assumption that members are not doing much. When the House is sitting, a great deal of work is taking place away from the chamber. …
Both Houses rose on Thursday and will not sit again until Monday week (23 February). The break was introduced as a ‘constituency week’ for MPs, though it is now generally referred to as half-term. The Taxpayers’ Alliance have argued against having the recess, on the grounds that Parliament should be sitting in order to call…
