Clerk of the Parliaments

Lord Bishop of Southwark Excerpts

Monday 13th April 2026 Lords Chamber

[The Lord Bishop of Southwark]

My Lords, from these Benches I echo the comments of those noble Lords who have gone before me. I pay tribute to Simon Burton, whose service as Clerk of the Parliaments has been of lasting value to the House.

The strength of our parliamentary life depends not only on those who speak in debate but on those who ensure that our work is carried out with integrity, order and constitutional faithfulness. In that vital task, Simon has served with distinction. As Clerk of the Parliaments, he has been both guardian of ancient custom and wise guide through modern complexity. He has exercised that responsibility with clarity of judgment, intellectual rigour and an unfailing sense of proportion.

His counsel has reminded us that procedure is not an obstacle to good government but one of its essential safeguards. He has always displayed a can-do and hands-on attitude, exemplified by a query sent from our Benches to Simon relating to Prayers in the House. It turned out that this required removing an artwork from the upper West Front Corridor to read the only surviving original draft of the relevant Standing Order, which was on the artwork’s reverse. Simon dutifully obtained a screwdriver, removed it, read it and replaced it.

On behalf of all on these Benches, I acknowledge especially Simon’s attentiveness to the character of this House as a place of respectful disagreement and careful scrutiny. His advice has always been impartial, measured and deeply informed by a sense of the public good. As Clerk of the Parliaments, he met all new Bishops to give advice and support. In his previous role of Reading Clerk, he had the unenviable task of reading all our complicated summonses to the House.

As has been observed, Simon led his team with humanity and supported his colleagues with generosity and calm, particularly in moments of pressure. He has shown that true authority is most often exercised quietly, in the finest traditions of the House. At a time when confidence in institutions can be fragile, his service stands as a powerful example of professionalism, integrity and devotion to duty.

Simon’s legacy will be found not in prominence but in the strength and dignity of this House itself. On behalf of the Lords spiritual, and indeed the whole House, I offer Simon our sincerest thanks and very best wishes for the future.

[The Lord Speaker (Lord Forsyth of Drumlean)]

My Lords, as I conclude the tributes from your Lordships’ House to our departing Clerk of the Parliaments, it remains for me to thank Simon Burton for his much-valued service and contributions. From his appointment to the post in 2021 to his retirement this year, the activity of the House has increased dramatically. Simon exercised his duties as this House’s senior clerk with all the confidence, compassion and energy that exemplified his long career of service in this place.

Simon will be remembered for the procedural changes made during his tenure that have been referred to and for the continual support he selflessly offered to Members of your Lordships’ House. We shall greatly miss Simon’s humour, insight and sense of duty. His meetings were often punctuated with gales of laughter coming from his room. We wish him a richly deserved retirement after his 38 years of service to us.