By: Susan McIntosh

Susan McIntosh — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 01:21:16 +0000

Thanks Dr. Bruce. I didn’t actually go so far as to suggest that the Noble Lords in the photo were having a sleep over on the public dime. There must be something about the picture that made you think napping might be a viewer’s conclusion. Glad to know they are hard at work! Regarding irony, good point! A life appointment does tend to change a person’s outlook as often demonstrated by the U.S. Federal judiciary including The Supremes.

By: B Durie

B Durie — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 18:15:49 +0000

May I just point out to my old friend Sue (Hi, Susan!) that despite appearances the Noble Lords in the picture aren’t napping, but are leaning over to hear the speeches played from the loudspeakers installed in the benches.
It should cheer everyone up that the majority of Lords are not hereditary (there is, perversely, an election from amongst the hereditary peers as to who will sit) but are Life Peers appointed because of their excellence in a variety of spheres. Yes, and a good few political place-people, but every government in power plays that game, so it tends to balance out.
The real irony of the Lords is that, when a political party appoints a few, they instantly go all independent-minded and start calling the government to account.
More than once in recent Parliaments it has been observed that the real Opposition is the Lords appointed by the party in command of the Commons!
BD

Comments on: Watching Scotland: A Bountiful Beleaguered Bra Designer Goes To Lords – Is Reform of the British House of Lords Essential?

By: Susan McIntosh

By: B Durie