House of Lords latest

[nwhyte]

Lord Tebbit (Conservative): My Lords, is my noble friend aware that I had the pleasure of being seated at dinner last week next to our right honourable friend Mr Kenneth Clarke but that he did not talk to me, whereas the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who was opposite, was quite chatty? I particularly enjoyed a long conversation with our coalition

Comments

[emilytheslayer]

Is there some context I'm missing here? Or is this seriously just a gossipy little update about their dinner party being given like it's business?

[annafdd]

It is really the House of Lords being the House of Lords. Very funny.

[emilytheslayer]

I'll admit I don't know much about UK politics! It is funny that they would do this, but also really weird to me.

[pjc50]

The House of Lords has near-zero political power*, and a grand tradition of its members speaking on whatever they feel like or find interesting. Sometimes this results in hugely erudite speeches from someone with sixty years of experience and a classical education, delivered to an empty chamber. Sometimes it results in blather, injokes, motions on matters of no importance, and genteel snide remarks.

* While the Lords has a tendancy to vote against bills in recent years that reduce ancient liberties, like the right to trial by jury, due to the Parliament Act in any direct conflict between the Lords and Commons, the Commons always wins.

[chickenfeet2003]

The House of Lords with Zombies? No wait...

[annafdd]

Awww, I thought you'd give us the inside view on Shadowy Foundation X.

[bellinghman]

*shhh*! Nicholas is the shadowy Foundation X. He's actually trying to purchase NI off the government.

[clanwilliam]

I can totally believe this theory. We'll know for sure when the BBC starts running Old Who again. That'll be the payback.

[wshaffer]

This is why I'm always dubious about proposals for reforming the House of Lords. I'm not really sure the gain in democracy would offset the loss of comedy.

I thought it was customary in the Lords not to refer directly to the House of Commons, but to use a euphemism like "the other place". Or have I got that backwards, and it's the Commons that does that with the Lords?

[akicif]

If I remember aright, a Noble Lord/Lady may refer to legislation enacted in Another Place, but would refer to an MP as a member of the House of Commons (Member of Parliament not being specific enough).

[mizkit]

I love the British Houses :)