Contributions
117 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDYoung People: Gambling HarmMy Lords, I commend the noble Baroness, Lady Bennett, for speaking in all three debates today, and I too congratulate the Minister on her additional appointment. I congratulate…23 Jul 2026HANSARDHolding the Line Against Tyranny and Anarchy (Constitution Committee Report)My Lords, I am not a member of the Constitution Committee, but I was its first chair. I welcome the committee’s excellent report and endorse all the recommendations it makes. As I…09 Jul 2026HANSARDLobbying Transparency (In-house Lobbyists) Bill [HL]My Lords, I agree with a great deal of what has been said by a number of speakers, which has the advantage that I will be able to shorten my contribution to today’s debate. This…03 Jul 2026HANSARDDemocratic Institutions: ThreatsMy Lords, I too commend the noble Lord, Lord Wallace of Saltaire, for securing this debate. I also commend the Library briefing prepared for it. I wish to make one key point.…25 Jun 2026HANSARDMinisterial Salaries (Amendment) BillMy Lords, in so far as this Bill rectifies an anomaly, it is to be welcomed. I very much endorse what others have said: of course Ministers should be paid. It has been a disgrace…14 Apr 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill13 Apr 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, Governments since 2008 have been committed to undertaking post-legislative scrutiny of Acts three to five years after enactment. In Committee on the Children’s Wellbeing…13 Apr 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, as I mentioned earlier, good law is a public good. It is essential that Acts deliver what they are expected to deliver, and not all do so, as the noble Lord, Lord…13 Apr 2026HANSARDTreaty Scrutiny in Westminster (International Agreements Committee Report)My Lord, I welcome this report and the reports from other committees, including the Constitution Committee, on the subject, but I rather regret that they are necessary. I was…16 Mar 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill05 Mar 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, the Government Whip may be pleased to know that my mother used to say that I spoke far too quickly. This amendment complements other amendments, which have been…05 Mar 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, the Minister’s response is not just disappointing but extraordinarily worrying. It suggests that the Government do not know what they are committed to. All I am seeking…05 Mar 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, there is a difference between reporting what is happening and actually reviewing an Act in its totality and—as my noble friend mentioned when we started this Bill, and…05 Mar 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill03 Feb 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, this is a big Bill. The noble Baroness, Lady Smith, has spent many hours at the Dispatch Box justifying its provisions. This amendment enables her to demonstrate her…03 Feb 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, the Minister’s response is disappointing. I am grateful to the two Front Benches for their very kind opening comments but in terms of the substance of the amendment, I…03 Feb 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, I reinforce what has just been said and endorse what the noble Lord, Lord Blunkett, said. He and I have made common cause on this for some time. I shall be extremely…03 Feb 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI totally agree. I should have said that I regard this as necessary but not sufficient.03 Feb 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, I have no interests to declare, other than that I want legislation to be as good as it can be. I very much welcome my noble friend’s amendment because it provides the…20 Jan 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill18 Sept 2025