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State Opening of Parliament
The State Opening of Parliament is always a grand occasion. We do ceremony extremely well and this morning everything proceeded according to the timetable. The programme lists very precise timings:...
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More wit of Westminster
As regular readers will know, the peers who propose and second the motion on the loyal address (thanking the Queen for her speech) are expected to inject humour into their speeches. The speakers...
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Constitutional change
I realise that in my earlier post on last week’s debate on the constitution, home affairs and legal issues, I omitted to provide a link to my speech, which dealt with the Government’s approach (or...
View ArticleThe Lords Resume – and reforms
Monday sees the return of Peers to the chamber of the House. The recess always leaves the House feeling a bit empty even if you do see Lords there from time to time – usually dealing with...
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Debating the Queen's Speech
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...
View ArticleLaw in Action
In 2007 Parliament passed the Legal Services Act, which might – or might not – revolutionise the way lawyers work, especially barristers. The law allows for, but does not insist on, barristers being...
View ArticleQueen’s speech and the constitution
I spoke on House of Lords reform (again!) in the Queens speech and like a growing number of members indicated that the way forward should be to set up a constituional convention as recommended in the...
View ArticleHigh speed timetable for reform?
Everyone seems to think we are in for quite a light legislative session after Easter. We will not know for sure until after the Queen’s Speech in June, but what are blogs for if not to speculate! One...
View ArticleQuality vs Quantity
Goldilocks looked at Tony Blair’s Queen’s Speeches, with 30+ bills announced each time, and pronounced, ‘that’s far too much legislation’. Then Goldilocks looked at the Coalition’s final Queen’s...
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