Contributions
2,386 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDMinisterial CodeThat would be a novel sanction for Ministers; obviously I welcome the proposals made this morning on another matter. I have read that, and I personally take it very seriously. As…06 Dec 2021HANSARDMinisterial CodeMy Lords, that seems to be causing some surprise on the other side—perhaps some of them have never actually faced the electorate, as many of us have.06 Dec 2021HANSARDMinisterial CodeMy Lords, a case was determined this morning relating to the operation of the Ministerial Code, which I am sure your Lordships will wish to study. The independent adviser has…06 Dec 2021HANSARDMinisterial CodeMy Lords, obviously the use of social media and lobbying are important and relevant matters. As the noble Baroness will know, there are recommendations before the Government and…06 Dec 2021HANSARDMinisterial CodeMy Lords, I can only repeat what I have said: standards in public life are important. I believe that the Prime Minister respects those fully. As far as the alleged events the…06 Dec 2021HANSARDMinisterial CodeMy Lords, the answer to the first question is that I think your Lordships have frequently suggested it. I will draw my right honourable friend’s attention to the remarks of my…06 Dec 2021HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) (Abolition of By-Elections) Bill [HL]Well, my Lords, not everything that your Lordships are in favour of necessarily becomes law, and some things become law that your Lordships are not in favour of. I am not going to…03 Dec 2021HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) (Abolition of By-Elections) Bill [HL]My Lords, it is a great pleasure to be here on a Friday again on this subject. This is a House of Peers; that is what makes us so special. All of us are here for different…03 Dec 2021HANSARDDissolution and Calling of Parliament BillMy Lords, I always seek to be brief, but one always aspires to be better briefed in your Lordships’ House. I anticipate that this will be the subject of some discussion in…30 Nov 2021HANSARDDissolution and Calling of Parliament BillMy Lords, if any noble Lords are concerned by the state of my voice, I should say that I have recently had a negative Covid test, but I have just had that cold which your…30 Nov 2021HANSARDDissolution and Calling of Parliament BillMy Lords, indeed we should never take democracy for granted—although I have noticed over the years, with advancing age, that whenever the party on those Benches is resoundingly…30 Nov 2021HANSARDDissolution and Calling of Parliament BillThat the Bill be now read a second time. Relevant documents: 8th Report from the Constitution Committee30 Nov 2021HANSARDHouse of Lords: Appointments ProcessMy Lords, the House of Lords has sometimes had relatively small changes and sometimes relatively substantial changes. In the 16th century, King Henry VIII slung out most of the…18 Nov 2021HANSARDHouse of Lords: Appointments ProcessMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Balfe, for securing this short debate. It has been a very interesting debate, as it always is when your Lordships apply their…18 Nov 2021HANSARDHouse of Lords: Appointments ProcessI am surprised by my noble friend’s phrase, “an automatic passport”. If one looks at the record of people who have come in under the rubric he cited, including a noble Lord who is…18 Nov 2021HANSARDHereditary Peers: By-electionsMy Lords, I believe that I have answered the last question from the noble Baroness. People get here in many ways, the majority by patronage through nomination by one individual…10 Nov 2021HANSARDHereditary Peers: By-electionsMy Lords, if the noble Lord was not surprised by my Answer, I was not surprised by his question. The Act was part of an understanding and agreement that was enacted in statute and…10 Nov 2021HANSARDHereditary Peers: By-electionsMy Lords, again, we have discussed this before. I have made clear in this House and the Government have made clear that the proposed groundwork of the commission is being carried…10 Nov 2021HANSARDHereditary Peers: By-electionsI am certainly not going to comment on my sense of humour. What I would say is that I always take your Lordships’ House seriously. If that is mistaken for not having a sense of…10 Nov 2021HANSARDHereditary Peers: By-electionsMy Lords, I regret that I do not agree with my noble friend. He will know that the position of the Government is that we do not favour piecemeal reform and that overall reform…10 Nov 2021