Inside the Lords: Does the House of Lords really hold power to account?

A closer look at when the Lords does, and doesn't, serve its function

In this week’s episode of Inside the Lords I take a deeper look at how some of the basic functions of the House of Lords actually works. In particular, I discuss a few examples of how ministers can be held to account by the simple process of asking questions - and how government often tries to avoid the scrutiny that the process can provide.

One of the issues discussed in the Lords was about the scandal around the case that a large number of child asylum seekers had gone missing from a hotel where they were being housed. I asked for clarification about the claims they had been kidnapped or trafficked. This issue caught a lot of attention, and I was invited onto Times Radio to discuss this as well (listen to that here).

The House of Lords might be a rather undemocratic element of the British Constitution, but if the essence of democracy is debate, discussion and asking questions of those in power, then there are still ways to inject a little bit of democracy into the process!

Omnicrisis, what omnicrisis?

On a slightly different note, one of the words that keeps coming up in all discussions - Inside the Lords and beyond - right now is ‘omnicrisis’. I am delighted to recommend this excellent event from Birmingham Salon on the topic TOMORROW. They have a great line up of speakers - including Dr Philip Cunliffe, Dr Jake Scott, John Vogler and Austin Williams - interrogating everything from international development to the nation state. I do recommend you head over if you’re in town!

• Saturday 28th January, 1.00 pm - 5.00 pm

• The Arthur Sullivan Room, Birmingham Midland Institute, 9 Margaret Street, Birmingham B3 3BU

• Tickets £15 available at the event (cash) or via Eventbrite