House of Lords Podcast: Lord Speaker's Corner

What drove Lord McFall of Alcluith to stand for election as Lord Speaker, and what does he hope to achieve?

This month we speak to the newly elected Lord Speaker about his career as a teacher and then in Parliament.

‘The best think tank in town’

Lord McFall also explains what makes the House of Lords unique, responding to the pandemic and  how he thinks both Houses of Parliament should collaborate more.

‘What has driven me has been a sense of monstrous injustice which has got to be put right.’

We also speak to Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom, who has been campaigning for subpostmasers who have been wrongly convicted for more than a decade. He explains how the Horizon scandal began, what needs to be done and what drives him and others to campaign for justice.

‘What we were worried about in that particular session, was the risk that the politicians and the strategists might lack the imagination to work out what could get us.'

Lord Arbuthnot also explains the work of the new Lords committee that he chairs, exploring what potential risks the UK could face in the future and how the country can be better prepared for them.

• Find out more about the Lord Speaker
• Find out more about Lord Abuthnot of Edrom
• Find out more about the Lords Risk Assessment and Risk Planning Committee

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This month, we hear from Martha Lane Fox, Baroness Lane Fox of Soho, about the work of the Lords COVID-19 Committee, which she chairs. She discusses the impact of the pandemic on the digital shift in our lives and what more the government needs to do to ensure nobody is left behind.

Martha also talks about her journey to the Lords and what surprised her when she first joined, plus her own experience of the rapid shift to online living over the last 15 months.

Amy and Matt also discuss the upcoming State Opening of Parliament, its origins and how changes to the ceremony are not as unprecedented as you might think.

• Find out more about the Lords COVID-19 Committee
• Find out more about the State Opening of Parliament

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This month we speak to two members about what inspires them, how they fight for change from inside the House of Lords and mobilising support for changes to draft laws.

We speak to Lord Alton of Liverpool about his work campaigning against human rights abuses around the world, including Tigray, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and North Korea, and why he proposed changes to the Trade Bill to prevent trade with countries accused of genocide. He also shares what he thinks the UK is doing well when it comes to human rights, and the incredible story about how Westminster inspired the defection of the most senior North Korean embassy official in the world to date. 

We also speak to Baroness Newlove about her work to bring about protection from non-fatal strangulation during scrutiny of the Domestic Abuse Bill.

Find out more about Lord Alton of Liverpool and follow him on Twitter

Find out more about Baroness Newlove and follow her on Twitter

Read about the progress of the Domestic Abuse Bill

Read about the journey of the Trade Bill through the House of Lords

Find out more about the election of the Lord Speaker

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It's LGBT+ History Month in February and we are joined by actor, campaigner and politician Lord Cashman on the podcast. He talks about his life and journey to the Lords, fighting for equality and founding Stonewall with colleagues including Sir Ian McKellen, and how he works to make a difference as a member of the House of Lords. We also hear his thoughts on the new Channel 4 drama It's a Sin, written by Russell T Davies.

We are also joined in this episode by Lord Patel, Chair of the Lords Science and Technology Committee. He talks to us about why the UK is missing its targets for health ageing and what more needs to be done to ensure we all live longer, healthier lives.

Plus Amy and Matt explore what has been happening in the House of Lords since we last met, including the recall of both Houses on 30 December to pass a new law in a single day.

• Find out more about Lord Cashman and follow him on Twitter
• Find out more about Lord Patel
• Read more from the Lords Science and Technology Committee and follow the committee on Twitter

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Welcome back to our December episode.

In part 2, we hear from Lord Teverson, chair of the EU Environment Sub-Committee, about what brought him to the Lords, his committee's work, plus why fisheries and chlorinated chicken have been big subjects in Brexit negotiations.

We also continue our interviews for Disability History Month with Baroness Campbell of Surbiton. Jane Campbell is a lifelong disability rights campaigner and we hear about her journey from protesting on Westminster Bridge to the House of Lords, and what more can be done for disability rights today.

Want to find out more about topics in this episode?

- Read more about the EU Environment Sub-Committee

- Read more from members of the House of Lords about Disability History Month

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We have so much to share with you this month that we are releasing this episode in two parts.

In this episode, hear from Olivia about how the Lords Legislation Office works and what it feels like to take on a role that dates back hundreds of years.

We also speak to Tanni Grey-Thompson, Baroness Grey-Thompson, about her career, her role in the Lords, campaigning for disability rights and getting people in the UK active.

In part 2, coming next week, we’ll continue our Disability History Month theme with Baroness Campbell of Surbiton and also speak to Lord Teverson about the EU, the environment and fisheries.

Want to find out more about topics in this episode?

- Read about the process of changing the Agriculture Bill in the Lords

- Read more from members about Disability History Month

Read a transcript for this episode

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Like everyone, the House of Lords has needed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. This has included doing things differently but also scrutinising the UK response to coronavirus and the lessons we need to learn.

In this episode, Amy and Matt speak to the Lord Speaker, Lord Fowler about his role and the House of Lords. They also speak to Deputy Speaker Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall and Government Whip Baroness Penn about how work in the chamber of the Lords has changed, and to Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top about what work the committee she chairs, the Public Services Committee, is doing to investigate lessons learned from the pandemic.

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Have you ever wondered what the House of Lords does, how it works and who makes up its membership?

In our new podcast, you will hear from members and staff of the House of Lords as we explore what is happening and what it is like to be a part of the UK Parliament.

Our first episode is coming very soon. Subscribe now to be the first to hear it!

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