Tuesday, February 04, 2014
Lunch at the House of Lords
Those Labour and Conservative MPs who effectively vetoed Nick Clegg's attempt to democratise the House of Lords may wish to reflect on this article in the Telegraph which lists some of the complaints about the dining facilities in thee upper house.
These restaurants receive £1.3 million in taxpayer subsidies, and yet it seems that the seared scallops, foie gras and champagne risotto are not up to scratch for some. The paper says that installing a new coffee machine without consultation caused particular ill will.
This was deemed to be both “insulting” and “staggering” and prompted one peer to write: “Even by parliamentary standards, that’s an impressive manoeuvre. You could not have calculated a move more likely to spread ill will.”
The more I see of articles like these, the more I am convinced that many peers treat the second chamber as a private members club. The sooner it is democratised the better.
These restaurants receive £1.3 million in taxpayer subsidies, and yet it seems that the seared scallops, foie gras and champagne risotto are not up to scratch for some. The paper says that installing a new coffee machine without consultation caused particular ill will.
This was deemed to be both “insulting” and “staggering” and prompted one peer to write: “Even by parliamentary standards, that’s an impressive manoeuvre. You could not have calculated a move more likely to spread ill will.”
The more I see of articles like these, the more I am convinced that many peers treat the second chamber as a private members club. The sooner it is democratised the better.
