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Category Archives: Parliament

Anything connected with business in the Houses of Commons or Lords (eg, PMQs).

Michael Moore MP’s Westminster Notes

By Michael Moore | Wed 20th February 2013 - 1:55 pm

Every week, Liberal Democrat Secretary of State for Scotland, Michael Moore MP, writes a column for newspapers in his Borders Constituency. Here is the latest edition.

Scotland analysis

As the debate surrounding Scottish independence gets underway, the UK Government published its first in a series of ‘Scotland analysis’ papers last week to look at the legal implications of Scottish independence. The paper set out that, according to experts, a ‘Yes’ vote would make Scotland the ‘successor’ state and the rest of the UK the ‘continuing’ state. This rejects the First Minister’s idea that Scotland and the UK would both be regarded as …

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Also posted in Op-eds and Scotland | Tagged Michael Moore and Westminster Notes | 3 Comments

Michael Moore MP’s Westminster Notes

By Michael Moore | Wed 13th February 2013 - 8:55 am

Every week, Liberal Democrat Secretary of State for Scotland, Michael Moore MP, writes a column for newspapers in his Borders Constituency. Here is the latest edition.

Fisheries vote

Last week was crunch time in the European Parliament as MEPs voted in favour of ambitious proposals to reform the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). There has been much concern among local fishermen in Berwickshire about the reform of the CFP because the current system has damaged many local businesses. The measures passed last week are certainly a welcome step in the right direction because they will help end the terrible practice of discards and …

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Next week in the Lords: 11-14 February

By Mark Valladares | Fri 8th February 2013 - 11:51 am

It may only be February, but like schools, half-term is approaching fast (don’t forget, Easter is a bit earlier this year). And with the break starting on Friday, there’s still quite a bit of business to squeeze in. Curiously, there are no oral questions or debates initiated from the Liberal Democrat benches all week, but the agenda isn’t without interest.

On Monday most attention will be focussed on the Second Reading of the Welfare Benefits Up-rating Bill. Baroness Stowell of Beeston has the unenviable task of leading …

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Also posted in News | Tagged dick newby, jim wallace, prince harry and welfare reform | Leave a comment

Michael Moore MP’s Westminster Notes

By Michael Moore | Wed 6th February 2013 - 10:15 am

Every week, Liberal Democrat Secretary of State for Scotland, Michael Moore MP, writes a column for newspapers in his Borders Constituency. Here is the latest edition.

Green Deal

In my constituency I know that energy prices are a key concern for local people. It has been one of the UK Government’s top priorities to help tackle this issue by improving the energy efficiency of people’s homes, reducing the confusing number of tariffs available and making it easier for people to switch. The Green Deal, launched last week, will help with the first part by enabling people to insulate their homes or install …

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Also posted in Op-eds and Scotland | Tagged green deal, Michael Moore, Scotland, Scottish independence referendum, unemployment and Westminster Notes | Leave a comment

Equal marriage: who voted which way

By Stephen Tall | Wed 6th February 2013 - 9:15 am

For those wanting to know the voting breakdown of last night’s historic decision in the Commons to approve equal marriage, here it is courtesy of Andrew Sparrow’s essential Guardian live-blog…

Conservatives

FOR – 127 MPs (42%)
AGAINST – 136 MPs (45%)
ABSTENTIONS – 5 MPs (2%)
ABSENT – 35 MPs (12%)

Labour

FOR – 217 MPs (84%)
AGAINST – 22 MPs (9%)
ABSTENTION – 16 MPs (6%)

Lib Dems

FOR – 45 MPs (80%)
Danny Alexander (Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey), Tom Brake (Carshalton & Wallington), Annette Brooke (Dorset Mid & Poole North), Jeremy Browne (Taunton Deane), Malcolm Bruce (Gordon), Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam), Lorely Burt (Solihull), Vincent …

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Also posted in News | Tagged andrew sparrow, equal marriage, lynne featherstone, Mark Pack and nick clegg | 49 Comments

Equal marriage: the speeches of Stephen Gilbert, Stephen Williams and Simon Hughes

By The Voice | Wed 6th February 2013 - 8:45 am

Last night saw the House of Commons approve the second reading of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill. Three Lib Dem MPs spoke, and here are their contributions to that historic debate…

Stephen Gilbert (St Austell and Newquay) (LD):

It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Chesterfield (Toby Perkins), who has articulated what many people of faith across our country have struggled with before coming to the conclusion that love should be for one and all and that marriage should not be an exclusive institution.

I declare an interest:

…

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Also posted in News | Tagged equal marriage, simon hughes, stephen gilbert and stephen williams | 4 Comments

Next week in the Lords: 4-7 February

By Mark Valladares | Fri 1st February 2013 - 11:21 am

Strangely enough, in the absence of a Lords Reform Bill to debate (and who’s sorry now?), things are relatively quiet on the red benches. Quiet, but not exactly dead, I’m delighted to say. And now that Paddy Ashdown has hit Twitter, life is going to be a bit more exciting. And talking of Twitter, don’t forget that our Parliamentary Party in the Lords has its own Twitter feed. And yes, those are real Peers tweeting, in live time. So, what might they be covering next week?

On Monday, …

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Also posted in News | Tagged chris rennard, john sharkey, kishwer falkner, margaret sharp and paddy ashdown | Leave a comment

This week in the Lords: 28 January – 1 February

By Mark Valladares | Mon 28th January 2013 - 8:58 pm

Yes, just as late as has been the habit recently, here’s your heads up for events in the upper chamber this week… anyone would think that I didn’t have a day of my own…

It’s another long week for our Parliamentary Party, with a nod to the recent wintry weather, but Monday sees Day 2 of the Committee Stage of the Growth and Infrastructure Bill, where Tony Greaves will seek to remove attempts to place further limits on the power to require information with planning applications. Frankly, when I see …

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Also posted in News | Tagged bill bradshaw, david chidgey, john lee, mike storey, phil willis, ros scott, shirley williams, sue miller, susan kramer and tony greaves | Leave a comment

Michael Moore MP’s Westminster Notes

By Michael Moore | Wed 23rd January 2013 - 8:48 am

Every week, Liberal Democrat Secretary of State for Scotland, Michael Moore MP, writes a column for newspapers in his Borders Constituency. Here is the latest edition.

State pension

In my column last week I touched upon the Government’s plans, announced by Lib Dem Pensions Minister Steve Webb, to introduce a single tier State Pension of £144 in 2017. The new pension will mean

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Also posted in Op-eds and Scotland | Tagged Michael Moore, Scotland, state pension and Westminster Notes | Leave a comment

Benefits Uprating Bill: Andrew George and Charles Kennedy’s arguments AGAINST

By Stephen Tall | Tue 22nd January 2013 - 10:40 am

The Government last night won the vote for its Benefits Uprating Bill, with the third and final reading passed by 305 votes to 246. A fortnight ago, six Lib Dem MPs voted against or abstained from the Coalition line that benefits rises should be capped at the same rate as public sector pay (a below inflation 1% pa) for each of the next three years.

Andrew George, Charles Kennedy and other Lib Dems sought to move an amendment to the Bill, linking future welfare increases to the rise in average earnings. However, time expired before it was put …

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Tagged andrew george, benefits, benefits uprating bill and charles kennedy | 1 Comment

Eric Avebury writes… Press conferences in the Lords

By Eric Avebury | Sun 20th January 2013 - 10:47 am

Believe it or not, there is nowhere in the House of Lords where backbenchers can hold press conferences! We used to be able to use any of the Committee Rooms, but in March 2010 the House agreed that only Committee Room G could be used for this purpose.

Two years later, an obscure Committee which deals with matters such as charging for tours of Big Ben and the use of electric hand dyers decreed that press conferences should be exiled to a small room in a building five minutes’ walk from the House. No consultation

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Also posted in Op-eds | Tagged house of lords | 9 Comments

Next week in the Lords… 14-18 January

By Mark Valladares | Mon 14th January 2013 - 8:44 am

Yes, I know that I had intended to write this on Friday, but it was never a pledge, right? But yes, as Liberal Democrat Peers gather from around the country to vote down a piece of Government business, now seems as good a time to publish this…

Yes, Monday will see the Parliamentary Party in the Lords vote in support of Amendment 28A to the Electoral Registration and Administration Bill, sponsored by Lords Hart of Chilton (Labour), Kerr of Kinlochard (Crossbenches), Rennard and Wigley (Plaid Cymru), which postpones the changes intended …

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Also posted in News | Tagged alex carlile, Celia Thomas and roger roberts | 1 Comment

Next week in the Lords: 8-11 January

By Mark Valladares | Fri 4th January 2013 - 5:51 pm

Whilst rumours of a list of new Peers swirls around the Palace of Westminster, the Lords returns to work on Tuesday, and a somewhat lop-sided week continues through to Friday in order to fit in the postponed debate on Leveson.

Never let it be said though that the Lords needs a gentle warm-up before asking the difficult questions. Tuesday sees oral questions on airport capacity in London, housebuilding in South East England and the effect of the ‘fiscal cliff’ solution on the UK economy, before the Growth and Infrastructure …

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Also posted in News | Tagged anthony lester, diversity, nick clegg, pensions and public sector | 1 Comment

Norman Lamb: another step forward on parity of esteem for mental health

By Norman Lamb MP | Fri 14th December 2012 - 4:21 pm

From April 2014, for the first time, people who need mental health services will be able to choose where they receive their care.

In 2008, the Labour government gave patients the legal right to choose who provides their care when referred by a GP. Scandalously, however, that right was specifically denied to mental health service users – a clear, institutionalised bias against mental health services and service users who had to take what they are given, whether they like it or not.

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Also posted in News | Tagged mental health and norman lamb | 2 Comments

Because Barons (and Baronesses) are people too – the Lords hit the web!

By Matt Withers | Fri 14th December 2012 - 3:21 pm

Having successfully dipped their toes into the social media pool with their Twitter account, the party’s peers have now launched their very own blog. The site is intended to give an insight into the often overlooked work the group are doing in the second chamber. Because – let’s be honest here – even the most committed of members can be forgiving for not thumbing through Hansard on their morning commute.

In the past week alone there have been blog posts from Roger Roberts

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Also posted in News | Tagged badgers and house of lords | 2 Comments

Alistair Carmichael MP writes…Why I’ve put the whip away for the Equal Marriage vote

By Alistair Carmichael MP | Wed 12th December 2012 - 6:59 pm

Everybody knows that the first rule of Fight Club is that you do not talk about Fight Club.

I am no Brad Pitt but the same is also true of the Whips’ Office.

It is not normally my practice to discuss whipping arrangements for the parliamentary party, nor to discuss publicly the process by which decisions are reached. Today, however, I am prepared (exceptionally) to do so and to explain the decision taken last night to allow Liberal Democrat MPs a free vote …

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Also posted in News | Tagged chief whip, equal marriage; house of commons, Jo Swinson, lynne featherstone and nick clegg | 68 Comments

Next week in the Lords… 10-14 December

By Mark Valladares | Fri 7th December 2012 - 2:50 pm

Firstly, my apologies for missing a few weeks, mostly due to a rather hectic diary. So, where were we?…

It has to be said that next week is a relatively quiet week for the Liberal Democrats, with no oral questions scheduled, although Monday does see some Liberal Democrat ministerial action, with Jim Wallace taking the Second Reading of the Partnerships (Prosecution) (Scotland) Bill, which is intended to make provision for the prosecution in Scotland of partnerships, partners and others following dissolution or changes in membership. More important, probably, …

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Also posted in News | Tagged courts and crime bill, eric avebury, robin teverson and tax avoidance | 3 Comments

Lord Alderdice writes… Improving the Justice and Security Bill

By John Alderdice | Thu 22nd November 2012 - 12:53 pm

Last night the House of Lords debated and voted on the Justice and Security Bill at its Report stage. I know from reading Lib Dem Voice and from listening to the recent debate at Conference what a touchstone issue this Bill is for many members. Which is why I want to explain how the Bill, which we have now passed to the Commons, is a very different beast from that originally under consideration.

Some of you will have seen that the Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) produced a unanimous report last week. We have two eminent Liberal …

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Tagged anthony lester, joint committee on human rights, justice and security bill, nick clegg and simon hughes | 7 Comments

Lib Dem peers help inflict defeats on Government in Lords over secret courts plans

By Stephen Tall | Wed 21st November 2012 - 9:10 pm

On Sunday we reported that Lib Dem members were none-too-impressed with the Government’s plans for secret courts. This morning we reported that 172 Lib Dems had written to The Times to protest. This evening the Lib Dem battle found its voice in the House of Lords, as the Guardian reports:

Government proposals to expand secret courts suffered a series of damaging defeats in the House of Lords on Wednesday, significantly narrowing the scope of the justice and security bill. By margins of more than a hundred votes, peers opposed to the bill significantly limited the government’s power to

…

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Also posted in News | Tagged nick clegg and secret courts | 9 Comments

Paul Burstow is new chair of the Parliamentary Party

By Mark Pack | Thu 1st November 2012 - 5:53 pm

A bit of party news today with various posts being filled. Paul Burstow has been elected chair of the Parliamentary Party, succeeding Lorely Burt who in the reshuffle became PPS to Danny Alexander.

Meanwhile there have also been changes at both the Commons and Lords end to the Co-Chairs of various Liberal Democrat Party Parliamentary Committees (often given the same acronym, PPCs, as used for party candidates).

The full list of names now is:

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Also posted in News and Party policy and internal matters | Tagged lorely burt and paul burstow | Leave a comment

Next week in the Lords: 29 October – 1 November

By Mark Valladares | Fri 26th October 2012 - 3:21 pm

There are those who suggest that what this country needs is less legislation and more management and proper scrutiny. Perhaps the House of Lords is taking this to heart, as the diary for the week is reflective of such a wish…

Monday sees the beginning of the Committee Stage of the Election Registration and Administration Bill, with Chris Rennard and Paul Tyler leading for the Liberal Democrats, and William Wallace responding on behalf of the Government.

Liberal Democrats will be looking to ensure that voter registration remains mandatory, as …

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Also posted in News | Tagged chris rennard, house of lords, hugh dykes, john sharkey, mike german, paul strasburger, paul tyler, ros scott, tim clement-jones and william wallace | 3 Comments

Labour MP caught on microphone urging heckling of Tory minister

By Mark Pack | Thu 25th October 2012 - 1:25 pm

One of the reasons the behaviour of MPs in the House of Commons is often so appalling, baying and insulting in a way that if done by a school child in a classroom would have MPs lining up to demand tough action to restore decency to British life, is that the place is very small. Lots of people in a small space doesn’t usually bring out the best of behaviour, whether in MPs, commuters, sports fans or even tricycle riders.

But that’s only a partial excuse.

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Also posted in News | 3 Comments

Next week in the Lords: 22-25 October

By Mark Valladares | Fri 19th October 2012 - 11:53 am

I thought that I’d try a different format for the preview this week, so let’s see how it goes…

Monday sees the Third Reading of the Local Government Finance Bill. After this week’s drama, when the Government suddenly came up with an additional £100 million to support local council tax support schemes during the transition phase, one might expect the Bill to be passed relatively comfortably. However, Labour will almost certainly endeavour to ambush this if they can.

Perhaps more interestingly, and certainly a more emotional moment than …

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Also posted in News | Tagged dick newby, house of lords and ros scott | Leave a comment

PMQs: The Chief Whip’s brain is missing*

By Paul Walter | Thu 18th October 2012 - 12:23 pm

*Conservative Chief Whip, that is.

Does Andrew Mitchell have some embarrassing photos of David Cameron? Or is there some disaster coming up, known only to the Prime Minister, for which he is conserving the Chief Whip for dumping overboard at an expedient moment as “cover”?

There has to be some reason that the PM preserves in post a man responsible for one of the longest public aftermaths ever for an intemperate outburst.

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Also posted in PMQs | Tagged andrew mitchell, david cameron, ed miliband, unemployment and youth unemployment | 14 Comments

Next week in the Lords: 15-18 October

By Mark Valladares | Fri 12th October 2012 - 10:52 am

It looks as though this column may be going down in flames, now that the Lords have appointed a new Media & PR Officer, but until we do…

Days 7 and 8 of the Committee Stage of the Financial Services Bill dominate the week. And, as I still don’t understand it, I’m going to see if I can get an explanation. Watch, hopefully, this space… However, Amendment 197, to be moved by Lord Flight, requires banks to transfer accounts to a new institution, if requested, within ten working …

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Also posted in News | Tagged anthony lester, bill bradshaw, claire tyler, Danny Alexander, derek ezra, house of lords, Jo Swinson, kishwer falkner, robin teverson and sally hamwee | 1 Comment

How to keep up to date with the Liberal Democrat Lords

By Matt Withers | Wed 10th October 2012 - 3:25 pm

Here’s a question which tends to get lost amid the heat and noise generated around the issue of Lords reform – what do the members of the second chamber actually do?

Or at least, what are the Liberal Democrat peers doing on a daily basis? And this isn’t meant in a facetious way. Unless you’re in the gainful employment of the party’s peers, or a broken leg has left you with far too much time in front of BBC Parliament, chances are you might not know how the Lords are working to ensure that every piece of legislation which crosses their …

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Tagged house of lords | 3 Comments

Next week in the Lords: 8-11 October

By Mark Valladares | Fri 5th October 2012 - 8:52 am

Yes, the moment you’ve all been waiting for, the House of Lords is back! And whilst I get to spend less time with my wife, legislation awaits. Will the death of Lords Reform change anything on the red benches? Just what are they going to discuss without it?

There are three Bills carried forward from before the summer recess;

As a gentle loosener after a summer of grouse shooting, light naps and memoir writing, Monday sees Day 6 of the Committee Stage of the Financial Services Bill, perhaps now …

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Also posted in News | Tagged andrew phillips, defamation bill, dick taverne, financial services bill, john alderdice, local government finance, margaret sharp, qurban hussain and susan kramer | Leave a comment

Order! Order! A Parliamentary Miscellany

By Mark Pack | Mon 17th September 2012 - 10:22 am

Robert Rogers, the Clerk of the House of Commons, is the latest in a long line of distinguished authors to have produced a miscellany of Parliamentary history, information and quirks. His volume Order! Order! A Parliamentary Miscellany is a worthy addition to that sequence.

Originally published in 2009 it has just been republished with little changed other than a new Foreword. As a result, although it is not quite as up to date as its 2012 publication date might suggest, it is still pretty fresh. Given Rogers’s background, it is also no surprise that this is primarily a miscellany of the House of Commons. The House of Lords is much the neglected partner.

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Also posted in Books | Tagged history and robert rogers | Leave a comment

Winning / Swinging Here! Sensational Lib Dem victory in annual Parliamentary Staff Rounders tournament

By The Voice | Sat 21st July 2012 - 1:50 pm

Here at Voice Towers we don’t normally run press releases — but we’re going to make an exception for the sensational Lib Dem victory in this week’s annual Parliamentary Staff Rounders tournament…

Liberal Democrat team ‘winning here’ in Parliamentary Staff Rounders Tournament

Staff working for Liberal Democrat MPs braved the rain to take the trophy in this year’s annual Inter-Parliamentary Staff Rounders Tournament.

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Also posted in News | Tagged anthony gale, john williams and paul edgeworth | 2 Comments

PMQs: Balls! Balls! Balls! Balls!

By Paul Walter | Thu 12th July 2012 - 10:53 am

By golly by gosh, I think Ed Miliband has finally got in the swing of this Prime Minister’s Questions thing. While Cameron reeled from his Tuesday night beating by a right Jesse, the leader of the opposition appeared poised, relaxed and skilful. He’s learnt the knack of brevity and humour, as his first question demonstrated:

At this last Question Time before the recess, may I remind the

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Also posted in PMQs | Tagged constitutional reform, david cameron, house of lords, lords reform, martin horwood and sir bob russell | 6 Comments

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