Some reflections now I have had two weeks in the Lords in session. I have given my maiden speech, asked questions, intervened following a Statement and delivered a speech on growth and the EU re set.
My first impression is there is plenty to do. My working week when in session will include more than a standard 37 hours on Lords business including time in the chamber and committee, dealing with correspondence, talking to other peers,MPs and people seeking to influence public policy, reading to decide what to pursue and to offer policy advice, and to keep up to date with the wide ranging work of the revising chamber. Running this website is also relevant to what I will do in the Lords.
My second is that the Lords does do a lot of detailed useful work on legislation that needs doing. Tge Commons often is too busy to do all the detail and government often introduces lots of new material at the Lords stage.
My third is that when a government with a majority loses control of its own MPs or lacks clear direction and purpose the Lords has a more important advisory role, offering options and pushing back on bad compromises and temporary fixes grasped at by a sinking administration.
I remain wedded to the doctrine that the elected House should make all the big decisions and Manifesto measures approved by electors should be allowed to pass. As an MP there were times when I thought the Lords right to challenge a Conservative government over a non Manifesto measure or a bad response to new developments.The Commons need to ensure the Lords is not a better judge of the public mood or a better voter champion than elected MPs.
My criticism of the Lords then and now remains the same. There are too many peers who read out dull repetitious Establishment speeches. They use foolish, disproved and tired old soundbites to defend net zero, EU compliance, the tyranny of poorly performing “independent” bodies and strange interpretations of international law hostile to UK interests.The Lords for example should be interested in how the Bank of England presided over 11% inflation when it was meant to keep it to 2% and how it is now losing taxpayers £20 bn a year. Giving more speeches about the wonders of independence does not help.
February 28, 2026
Too many tedious speeches?
That’s why the former hereditary peers should be reinstated and the government appointees retired!
February 28, 2026
I fear you will be a voice in the wilderness John. Too many stooges appointed by various PMs
Reward for failure in many cases
A fair amount of traitors sucking of the taxpayer teat
February 28, 2026
With Prime Ministers as appalling as John ERM Major, war on lies Blair, Gordon sell the gold and save the world Brown, Lord Cameron of Greensill, Theresa Net Zero May, Net zero, open door immigration 1m + Boris, abandon ship & tax to death Sunak and Sir Two Tier then you obviously get truly appalling nominations.
With just one or two exceptions like JR.
February 28, 2026
Much sense in all you says and your two excellent speeches so far. The country will certainly get good value from you and even better value if they actually listen and acted on your wise advice.
“The Commons need to ensure the Lords is not a better judge of the public mood or a better voter champion than elected MPs.” Sir Two Tier seems to do the complete reverse of what the public demand he is either out to damage the UK or he is totally deluded. Especially on growth and immigration but on every issue.
A good The Sceptic podcast with Fred de Fossard on how the appalling Equality Act fosters discrimination against white males, and Tilak Doshi on Germany’s chemicals industry bloodbath.
In Episode 69 of the Sceptic, host Laurie Wastell speaks to Fred de Fossard, Director of Strategy at the Prosperity Institute, on the scourge of Labour’s Equality Act 2010, why Reform is right to repeal it and whether Restore Britain is a threat to Farage.
And Dr Tilak Doshi, the Daily Sceptic’s Energy Editor, on how Net Zero is sending Germany’s chemicals industry down the drain, and why sceptics are the real climate scientists.
February 28, 2026
Given the new “banter law” where business owners can be sued for people offended by what other customers say (and they overheard and claim they are offended by). What happens if they get a BBC type of Tourette’s person in a the pub or on a bus? Are they supposed to kick them out and then get sued for disabled discrimination or let them stay and then they get sued by other “offended” customers?
The insanity of this governments appalling laws. indeed all governments from Major onwards and even before.
February 28, 2026
Clearly the election rules should publish the % of postal votes take. Up and how the postal voters voted is there a large difference from how in person voters voted or not due to family voting?