Lord Alderdice, Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town and Lord McFall of Alcluith to stand for Lord Speaker election
Tuesday 23 March 2021
Lord Alderdice, Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town and Lord McFall of Alcluith are the three confirmed candidates for the next Lord Speaker.
Today, each candidate has published a 500-word manifesto and a short video to help make their case to Members of the House of Lords before the voting takes place online between 13-15 April 2021.
The job of the Lord Speaker is to chair daily business in the House of Lords chamber and act as an ambassador for the work of the House. They also chair the governing body of the House of Lords, the House of Lords Commission.
In his manifesto, Lord Alderdice said: “We must return as soon as possible to work at Westminster, addressing the major challenges of Restoration and Renewal, the External Management Review, and the Ellenbogen Report...Changes in the culture and operation of the House to ensure it is an effective workplace where all feel comfortable, must be accompanied by a wider programme of engagement with our fellow citizens and the devolved institutions, so that the remarkable work of the House is better understood and appreciated by our fellow citizens.”
In her manifesto, Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town said: “Colleagues know my values, and my commitment to “Two Houses; One Parliament”, ensuring our future is adaptable, strengthened and championed, and my aim to be an ambassador for the House and indeed Parliament. We can never take our democratic traditions for granted. Unless Parliament and Government are respected and understood, we will fail to safeguard and improve our country, its security, its people, its wider responsibilities, and the health and future of our treasured Union.
In his manifesto, Lord McFall of Alcluith said: “Our membership has some of the most able and talented people in the land, from all walks of life, raising the level of national debate; effectively scrutinising and modifying legislation for the better; and holding the government to account. But as we all know, our House must remain on the path of reform and modernisation, respecting the Burns Report, engaging all members – listening and acting. I am dedicated to protecting the crucial and fundamental constitutional role of the House of Lords that ensures our work has impact.”
The full text of each manifesto can be accessed here
Two virtual hustings for the candidates will take place on the 25 March and 12 April run by the Hansard Society, and the first will be hosted by the BBC’s Parliamentary Reporter Mark D'Arcy. This will be followed by an election online for Members between 13-15 April. Subject to the approval of HRH Her Majesty The Queen, the new Lord Speaker is due to be announced on 21 April.
