Tributes

Lord Kennedy of Southwark Excerpts

Thursday 18th December 2025 Lords Chamber

[Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms and Chief Whip (Lord Kennedy of Southwark) (Lab Co-op)]

My Lords, I am delighted to lead the customary and important tradition of giving thanks to staff across the House, especially those who have retired this year, as we head towards the Christmas Recess. As 2025 draws an end, it is nice to have a moment to reflect on the excellent work of the House and the teams that support us. I hope that noble Lords will find this more jolly than my usual reminders about short questions and references to the Companion.

Before turning to individual tributes, I want to start by thanking all the staff across the House, a team of 700 strong, for their work. I will not attempt to name all teams, through fear of missing some that are equally as important, but the House simply would not function without the work of each and every one of the people who support us, and our vital scrutiny could not be done. I know I speak for the whole House when I say thank you for your hard work; we appreciate everything you do for us. We all have examples of staff going the extra mile in service of the House and showing us their unique kindness.

I now turn to some individual members of staff who have retired from the House this year. I will name a few, and my usual channels colleagues will name others when they speak.

First, I pay tribute to Carell Roberts, a valued member of the housekeeping team who retired in April. Carell worked in the team for just under 20 years and was involved in managing some high-profile and important areas, including the second-floor galleries above the Chamber. Carell also looked after a space much loved and used by noble Lords, the Library. Carell has retired to spend more time relaxing with family and friends, including much overseas travel. We wish her well.

Secondly, following the Library theme, I give thanks to Christine Martin, a senior Library assistant, who retired in July after 23 years. Christine started in 2002, looking after the main Palace Library suite, keeping it shipshape and tidy for Members, and ensuring they had newspapers to read—no mean feat when navigating the height of those Library ladders. In 2007, Christine was promoted to senior Library assistant and became the Library’s quartermaster. Christine had left a lasting impression on all colleagues with her calm demeanour, sense of humour, teamwork and kind counsel. Always ready to lend a hand in a crisis, her help was invaluable when the Library had a major flood in 2008 and during Covid when she was instrumental in keeping the Library running. We wish her a well-deserved and enjoyable retirement, attending to her garden and putting her feet up.

Next, I pay tribute to Gordon Rock, a senior doorkeeper who is due to leave us on 31 December. Gordon started work as a precision engineer toolmaker in 1977. He joined the Royal Marines in 1986 and served his country until 2008. He joined as a doorkeeper in 2012. Since his promotion to senior doorkeeper, he has enjoyed keeping everybody in step, including during the important state visits of President Macron, Prime Minister Trudeau and President Zelensky.

Although Gordon is not related to the noble Baroness, Lady Rock—I have checked that she is very happy for me to mention this—they have huge respect for each other. I am told by the doorkeeping team that he refers to her as “auntie”. A few years ago, I did the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme. Gordon came up to me and said, “I understand you’re going to a particular Army base at the weekend”. I said that I was. He said, “I’ve got lots of friends down there. I’ve given them a briefing and they’re all waiting for you”. I am pleased and very relieved to report that I had a wonderful time, and I wish Gordon a very restful and long retirement.

Finally, I must pay special thanks to Fiona Channon, who worked in the heart of government and Parliament for over 30 years, first in the Civil Service and, since 2019, as our much-loved, admired and respected Deputy Yeoman Usher. Throughout her roles in the Civil Service, Fiona worked with a number of colleagues, including my noble friends Lady Harman and Lady Jay of Paddington, alongside other noble Lords. Fiona went from the Civil Service to lead a number of important functions in the House of Commons, including as director of accommodation and logistics, a good training ground for the ceremonial wonders of your Lordships’ House. Fiona had an exceptional eye for detail and was instrumental in the delivery of a number of critical events, including the funeral of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth and the coronation of His Majesty King Charles. I am told that Fiona was able to enjoy over 1,000 sitting days in her time in the House of Lords and is well-known for her never-ending patience and calm manner in the face of a crisis and a long day. While Fiona was well acquainted with the building, I am told that, equally, the building wanted to give something back to Fiona, when she was attacked by a decapitated pigeon in State Officers Court near the Guy Fawkes plaque. Colleagues were able to rush to her rescue and lend her a shirt to enable her to continue her duties that day. I hope she will enjoy a slightly slower pace and a well-deserved actual rest without any pigeons.

In addition to individual members of staff, I thank all colleagues across the House for their good humour and support. I love the House very much and I am very privileged to be the Government Chief Whip and the Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms. I do my best to be accessible to everyone and be on hand to deal with issues as they arise. I thank all Members across the House for their friendly engagement with me throughout the year; I really appreciate that.

The House has reviewed 70 Bills this year alone and we always manage to debate topics, even the most difficult topics, with kindness and respect. This extends especially to my usual channel colleagues. While sometimes we have difficult conversations throughout the year—I am sure we have many more to look forward to next year—I appreciate their continued support and frank discussions. I have huge respect for the noble Baroness, Lady Williams of Trafford, the noble Lord, Lord Stoneham of Droxford, and the noble Earl, Lord Kinnoull. We can usually smile and laugh in between more difficult conversations, and I count each of them as good friends. I hope we can continue to make progress together in guiding the House through its important work.

Finally, it seems a shame to waste the opportunity not to announce another recess date, as I fear colleagues are already getting anxious to book their Christmas holidays in 2026, perhaps even as a present for a loved one. I am therefore pleased to tell the House—with the usual, not very festive caveat that it is subject to the progress of business in the House—I intend for the House to rise for the Christmas Recess next year on Thursday 17 December 2026 and return on Tuesday 5 January 2027.

I hope colleagues will consider this a well-deserved Christmas gift, as I think it is important that noble Lords and staff have time to plan for activities with family and friends outside the House. I wish everyone across the House and all the teams so expertly supporting us a very Merry Christmas, a restful Recess and very happy new year. I look forward to seeing you all back on 5 January for a three-line Whip.

[Baroness Williams of Trafford (Con)]

My Lords, sometimes in this House, it feels like our years should be measured in dog years, particularly when you are in opposition. As this year draws to a close, it is a pleasure to follow the Government Chief Whip in paying tribute to those who make the work of this House possible and who will be leaving us for pastures new.

Not only do all staff members play a crucial role in the operation of this House but their kindness and courtesy make for a welcoming place for all of us. Joao De Frietas, more affectionately known as Alberto, began his career just before the turn of this century in the Peers’ Dining Room. He soon became a familiar face, successfully going on to manage events in the Cholmondeley Room and the Terrace. Since 2018, he has been bar manager for the Woolsack, where he has been keeping morale high on the Parliamentary Estate. Throughout his time here, he was very well liked by his colleagues and regulars at the Woolsack. He will be much missed, and we wish him and his family very well for the future.

Neil Baverstock will be leaving Black Rod’s office this Christmas. For the past 12 years, he has been known for his unfailing dependability as the 23rd Yeoman Usher—the longest serving for 65 years. His sense of public duty, from when he trained at Sandhurst until now, is one from which we can all take inspiration. He has been a model of high standards, with a very cool head in challenging moments. I am told that his buzz-phrases are now a permanent part of parliamentary folklore. My favourite has to be, “My Lords, I’m going to run through the plan. I must be clear that this is a plan, not a discussion document”. He has certainly left his mark, being trusted with the Palace’s arrangements for the late Queen Elizabeth II’s lying in state and Operation Marquee. We know that behind every good man is a good woman, and we must thank his wife Alison for her support. This is a legacy of which they should both be proud, and they leave with our sincere gratitude.