Explaining Health Care Reform

A YouTube Video from the Speaker's Office explains why Health Care needs reform.

Swearing in

The swearing in of Al Franken

France and Westminster

Today is Bastille Day. It will be celebrated in the House of Lords River Restaurant with a special menu which includes French Onion Soup; Coq au Vin and there will be "French 75" cocktails at the Lords Bar.

Elsewhere in the Palace, the joint history of England and France is celebrated - with paintings of the Battles of Waterloo and Trafalgar in the Royal Gallery - and in the coats of arms of towns where the English beat the French on the staircase towards the Committee Corridor.

Parliamentary Reform

There is much talk about the need for Parliamentary Reform - and the various actions which could restore the reputation of the UK's legislature and improve its effectiveness. I asked Lord Norton of Louth, described by the House Magazine as "our greatest living expert on Parliament" for his views.



Lord Norton has written extensively on the workings of the British Parliament and on legislatures generally. [Recent Publications] He continues as Professor of Government at the University of Hull whilst playing a full part in the activities of the House of Lords. He has served as the Chairman of the House of Lords Constitution and frequently contributes to debates on constitutional matters.

He regularly blogs on "Lords of the Blog" - an indispensable site for anyone wanting to understand and follow the House of Lords.

The History of Whips

You may know that I am currently undertaking research into Whips (and Whips Organisations) in the four Houses which make up the UK Parliament and US Congress. A very interesting book - which is both an important reference point for me - and was key in fixing my research interest in this area - is Tim Renton's "Chief Whip" (London: Politicos, 2005 ISBN 1-84275-129-8).

Lord Renton of Mount Harry (as he now known, since he was appointed to the House of Lords in 1997), describes his own period as Chief Whip - during the last 16 months of Mrs Thatcher's premiership. These first five chapters are interesting enough in their own right. The second part of the book describes the history of the post of Chief Whip [formally known as the "Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury"] - and some of the holders of that title.

I'm now using the book as a reference work - it has good footnotes linking to the original material. You may enjoy it as I did, as entertaining and informative summer reading.

Today's photograph is of a fictional Chief Whip - Francis Urquhart - a wonderful Machiavellian character created by Michael Dobbs in his book "House of Cards". That too is an excellent book - but may be??? a bit hard on whips.