Lords a-sleeping
The House of Lords sleepover is over - at least for this week. Peers called it a day at three o'clock this morning, concluding the eleventh day of debate on plans to cut the number of MPs and hold a referendum on the voting system.
The latest exchanges were not without their entertaining moments, as peers digested media coverage of Monday's all-night sitting. Then, there were plenty of attractions outside the chamber for those form whom the debate itself was not enough to prop the eyelids awake.
Lord Thomas of Gresford and Lord Howarth of Newport traded insults over the sleep-inducing qualities of each other's speeches.
Liberal Democrat Lord Thomas said: "We all enjoyed the of the noble Lord fast asleep in the Chamber that appeared in today's Independent. I hope that he is not intending to send the rest of us to sleep with his speech. He normally takes 20 to 25 minutes. Perhaps he can shorten it today and talk to the point for once."
Former Labour MP Lord Howarth responded: "The noble Lord himself is occasionally capable of quite soporific oratory. If I had fewer interventions no doubt I would be able to sit down rather sooner."
Another Lib Dem peer, Lord Tyler, pitched in: Lord Tyler: "Some of us have seen a fascinating grid, the Opposition's speaking grid, that was left in some facilities of the House overnight earlier in the week. It was very helpful because we were then able to see when noble Lords were being instructed to speak on various amendments. Would either he or one of his colleagues tell us what the grid is for today?
"Then we could know when the noble Lord was going to speak and perhaps we could slip outside to have a cup of tea or even a snooze."
Lord Howarth: "I would personally be terribly disappointed if the noble Lord, Lord Tyler, were to take advantage of the fact that I was on my feet to go and have a cup of tea because I depend on his presence as a stimulus and discipline to myself. I might be tempted to speak more rashly and randomly if it were not for the invigilatory presence of the noble Lord in the Chamber."
Day 12 of this long-running exercise in democracy/farce* (*delete as appropriate) is scheduled for next Monday, the day former Plaid Cymru leader Dafydd Wigley takes his seat in the House of Lords.
It could be a long day. Let's hope he remembers his toothbrush and ermine-trimmed pyjamas.
Hello. I'm David Cornock and I'm parliamentary correspondent for Ö÷²¥´óÐã Wales. This is the blog for the latest news and gossip from the Westminster village - with a Welsh accent.
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