Contributions
2,386 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDBusiness of the HouseI made my comments on Sir John Major’s action in a speech in this House a month or two ago and I do not need to repeat them. I am trying to avoid referring to these proceedings,…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseMy noble friend makes that point extremely well. I think all of us on this side feel very grateful for that and I fully endorse what he has said.04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseWhat the noble Baroness has said is important, but unfortunately there is something in it which I cannot accept—the idea that there is something normal about the procedure. I must…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseDoes my noble friend agree that, ironically, they are the no-dealers because they want everything to stay the same? They do not even want an adjustment of a withdrawal agreement…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseDoes the noble and learned Lord not think that the public are entitled to understand what the motivation is? Is he unhappy about the lending of the girdle of honesty by this…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseI declare an interest as a part-time resident of Italy, as my noble friend knows and the House will know. Does he agree that the points he is making are exemplified by what we…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseHere is a reversal of roles. I spent about 13 years—I hesitate to say it—drafting the odd amendment for the noble Lord, Lord Strathclyde. Here is the noble Lord, Lord Strathclyde,…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseAfter first “Commons” to insert “, and in recognition of the fact that the vote of 17.4 million people in the 2016 referendum to leave the European Union is no longer relevant and…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseMy Lords, I am encouraged by every cry of “Oh no”, so please continue. In speaking to this amendment, I should explain that for convenience, to get these amendments down quickly,…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseAfter first “Commons” to insert “, and only once any current legal proceedings relating to prorogations in the English courts have been concluded”.04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseI am attempting to withdraw my amendment. I agree with what the noble Lord is saying, but if we have to come back, of course we will go through all the amendments. However, let us…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseIn my judgment, my noble friend’s point is entirely correct. As he noticed, and as I have pointed out to the House before, in both Houses, in Division after Division on measure…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseIt might help the House if I responded for 30 seconds to the amendment to withdraw the amendment, because I think that the spirit of the House is right on this. I shall not press…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseI will not ask the noble and learned Lord to go further, but the fundamental point is that we cannot do the whole thing in this House. I endorse fully what has been said by…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseThat of course is entirely false, my Lords. The Prime Minister of Great Britain, whoever it is, has no power to enter this Chamber. He may come and stand at the Bar of this House…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseThen do not impose the guillotine; do not use the closure Motion on this issue. I shall give way to a representative of a party that opposes power.04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseMy Lords, my noble friend may be right, but I do not wish to follow on that point, because I believe that the principle applies to all legislation. In brief response, I pointed…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseThe noble Lord has been a member of many Governments, and year after year has attended ceremonies of Prorogation with the sovereign there. He knows full well that it is a…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseI am very grateful to my noble friend, particularly with her great experience in the other place. I never had the privilege of serving there, but I remember that in 1975, when I…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseAfter first “Commons” to insert “, and in recognition of the fact that promises made in election manifestoes in 2017 to ensure the United Kingdom’s departure from the European…04 Sept 2019