Business of the House

Lord Gove Excerpts

Tuesday 21st July 2026 Lords Chamber

When we return in September, in the first week there is Labour business time—government time. It is fully appropriate that, after the summer, when we have seen the full raft of announcements by the new premier, that this House debates, provides scrutiny and can hold the Government to account for the announcements that they are now making. I hope the Leader will respond very positively and that, when we return in the first week in September, we will have an appropriate opportunity for us to take into consideration whether the new Prime Minister’s priorities are—

[Lord Gove (Con)]

My Lords, will the noble Lord give way?

[Lord Purvis of Tweed (LD)]

If he will forgive me, I am just—

[Lord Purvis of Tweed (LD)]

By popular demand, I shall give way to the noble Lord.

[Lord Gove (Con)]

I am very grateful to the noble Lord for giving way. This is an historic speech on his part; this is probably the most momentous missing of the point since the crowd called for Barabbas to be freed. Am I right in thinking that the Liberal Democrats will not vote for greater scrutiny and will decide tonight to let the Government off the hook, because their attachment to their friends in the Labour Party is greater than their commitment to democracy?

[Lord Purvis of Tweed (LD)]

It is not exactly Churchillian to ask for a take-note debate. I do not think that “We will take note of them on the beaches, we will take note of them on the landing grounds, we will always take note” is the speech that the noble Lord thinks we need to make. I think we have taken note of enough from that side.