Lords debates case for UK Constitutional Convention
14 December 2018
Members of the Lords, including the governor of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research and a former First Minister of Scotland, debated the current constitutional challenges within the United Kingdom and the case for the establishment of a UK-wide Constitutional Convention to address issues of democratic accountability and devolution, particularly in England, in the House of Lords on Thursday 13 December.
- Catch up on Parliament TV
- Read the Lords Hansard transcript
- Lords Library note: Constitutional Issues and the Case for a UK-wide Constitutional Convention
This was a general debate. They normally take place on a Thursday in the chamber. During debates, members are able to put their experience to good use, discussing current issues and drawing the government's attention to concerns.
The debate was proposed by Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Labour), co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Reform, Decentralisation and Devolution
Members who took part included:
- Lord Dykes (Crossbench), former chair of the UK-European Movement
- Baroness Janke (Liberal Democrat), vice-president of the Local Government Association
- Lord Lipsey (Non-affiliated), member of the Council of the Constitution, University College London
- Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale (Labour), former First Minister of Scotland
- Lord Norton of Louth (Conservative), member of the House of Lords Constitution Committee
Lord Higgins (Conservative), governor of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, made his valedictory speech.
Lord Young of Cookham (Conservative), Lords spokesperson in the Cabinet Office, responded on behalf of the government.
Further information
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