Contributions
2,386 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDBusiness of the HouseHaving also been involved at the time, I know that this certainly is the breaking of an undertaking. Many of us agreed to facilitate the passage of Cooper-Boles on the basis that…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseI very strongly disagree with my noble friend, and I will discuss my heart when he discusses his soul on this matter. The question of Prorogation is not before us now. I will…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseThe Salisbury doctrine is very important for relations between the two Houses. It allows this House freedom to challenge and dissent on things that are not covered by the…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseMy Lords, if that argument had been put before this great House for 700 years—with the House told that every time a vote in the other place produced a majority it must be…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseI acknowledge that the noble Lord moved from the Labour Benches to the Cross Benches after a long period. Having been invited to comment—I said something about the right reverend…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseMy noble friend is entirely right. I had started to say that there is a difference of opinion across the House, but surely that means that there should be an independent judgment…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseMy Lords, the reality is that possibly we are not going to that point. If, as I hope, there is an agreement through the usual channels and we can get the guillotine Motion…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseI do not want to get into the issue of Prorogation, simply because of the time. But I spoke about Prorogation the last time we discussed these things. We all know that Prorogation…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseThe Motion is not at all necessary, irrespective of Prorogation. I just made that point. There will be more time in a new Parliament to deal with this Bill than in these two days.…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseMy Lords, we have just seen 288 Members of your Lordships’ House vote to close discussion on one of the most fundamental principles to come before this House procedurally: whether…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the House“Yes”, we hear from the putative Government of the future; this is what they will give us.04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseMy Lords, I was coming to the Liberal Democrat Chief Whip. As the Liberal Democrats know, I am one of their greatest fans in the world, but my noble friend has of course made the…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseOur proceedings are filmed. He moved the closure on a fundamental question of procedure in this House without any opportunity for anybody to respond when it was clear that other…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseI do not want to be disobliging to my noble friend, whom I admire very much, but I say again what I said to the noble Lord opposite. I have been trying to make that point, and I…04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseI thank my noble friend for that eloquent intervention. I agree—04 Sept 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseIs it not extraordinary that when a noble Baroness stands up and makes a heartfelt and serious contribution, we get guffaws from the tieless mob on the Back Benches?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 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 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 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 2019