Monthly Archives: January 2011
Moving forward
Peace appears to have broken out in the Lords. This afternoon, the Leader of the House, Lord Strathclyde, announced that agreement had been reached through the usual channels on the timetable for committee stage of the Parliamentary Voting System and … Continue reading
Defining excitement
If I was on Twitter, then my tweets over the weekend could certainly have been kept to 147 characters: Saturday: marking exam scripts Sunday: marking essays Monday: Teaching, marking (more) essays Off the Westminster tomorrow with a load more essays … Continue reading
Debate on the number of ministers
The debate on Wednesday on my amendment to the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill to reduce the number of ministers can be read here. Bear in mind that it took place at committee stage of the Bill. It will be interesting to … Continue reading
Hull’s finest – the Class of ’83
Here’s a very jolly picture from almost thirty years ago, showing Hull politics students who graduated in 1983, along with some members of staff. I’m sat second left on the front row – I’m sure instantly recognisable – with Professor … Continue reading
Too many ministers
Earlier this evening I moved an amendment to the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill. Or rather I moved an amendment to an amendment. Lord Falconer of Thoroton moved an amendment to provide that the number of ministers sitting in … Continue reading
Speaking in Glasgow
I travelled to Glasgow yesterday by the West Coast main line, the first time I have travelled from London to Glasgow by this route. I was impressed. The tilting Pendolino trains are quite impressive: when they tilt it reminds me … Continue reading
Another hectic week
I have just finished invigilating an examination. This is the closest I suspect I will get this week to a period of relative quiet. The rest of the week will be spent dashing between Westminster (the continuing saga of the … Continue reading
Pronouncing Louth
In responding to comments on the post’ Don’t they know who I am?’ I pointed out that Jack Straw on one occasion got my name wrong (‘Lord North’!) and on another occasion mispronounced Louth. When he mispronounced the town’s name, another MP, … Continue reading
Sleepless nights
Wednesday’s sitting of the House was another late one. It was not an all-night sitting as on Monday, but we did sit until 3.00 a.m. There were votes, the last one at 2.00 a.m., so I was able to prove … Continue reading
Don’t they know who I am?
I did not speak during the marathon session on Monday but for different reasons I was referred to by three peers. However, it appears that it may not only have been peers who were tired. Lord Anderson referred to me … Continue reading
The Norton View 