Counsellors of State Bill [HL]

Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb Excerpts

2nd reading
Monday 21st November 2022 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (GP)]

My Lords, I usually have strong opinions on almost everything but, I must say, I could not care less about this particular Bill.

We have a system of government that is ridiculous and crazy. It was originally based on the concept that “might is right”, with which I fundamentally disagree. It just seems ridiculous that we still have that system here. We are not a democracy. We do not have any sort of sensible system; I include in that not having proportional representation and still having an appointed House of Lords, even though I am appointed myself.

Honestly, this Bill is so inconsequential to the lives of most people who are struggling to live and work at the moment. Of course the Royal Family works hard, but so do nurses and street cleaners. Please could we give those people some credit as well? I am sorry to strike a sour note, but we should be discussing things that matter, not things such as this that matter to a tiny number of people.

The third paragraph of the Library briefing states:

“There is no provision for making anyone else a counsellor of state.”


I wonder whether we are breaking the law; I do not quite understand what that means. Perhaps the Leader of the House could explain why there is no such provision.

From my point of view, the sooner we have a Scandinavian-style monarchy, the better.