Senior Deputy Speaker

Earl of Kinnoull Excerpts

Wednesday 13th May 2026 Lords Chamber

[The Earl of Kinnoull (CB)]

My Lords, on behalf of the Cross Benches, I congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Ponsonby, on his appointment as Senior Deputy Speaker, and most importantly, actually, as Chairman of Committees, which is sometimes forgotten. I wish the names were reversed in importance in the way we consider them.

The noble Lord, Lord Gardiner, has been in part diplomat, in part referee and in part provider of chocolate biscuits to me over his very successful five years as Senior Deputy Speaker. I am sure he did not expect, in 2021, to leave behind agriculture and fisheries for traffic management and gas lamps on the Parliamentary Estate, but each ball that was bowled at him—the Leader of the House just mentioned some—with every possible spin, by world-class bowlers, he despatched to the boundary and always with good humour.

In closing, I note that the noble Lord and I usually arrived for our monthly meetings dressed in Red Squirrel Survival Trust ties—I am wearing mine now. We would have a brief pre-meeting beforehand to discuss our mutual interest in the native broadleaf trees of our nation and red squirrels, which was probably quite puzzling to the officials who were sitting with us, but it set the tone. I was reflecting that, now that he is going to have some time on his hands, the red squirrels of the United Kingdom will be very pleased that a major advocate is back in action and can work on their behalf.

I very much value the noble Lord’s friendship. On behalf of these Benches, I thank him most warmly for all his support and service over five years.

[The Lord Bishop of Norwich]

My Lords, it is a pleasure to follow the noble Earl, Lord Kinnoull, to stand on behalf of these Benches in support of the Motion from the noble Baroness the Lord Privy Seal and to congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Ponsonby, on his appointment.

It is also a pleasure to thank, on behalf of these Benches, the former Senior Deputy Speaker, the noble Lord, Lord Gardiner. Newbies have been enormously grateful for the warmth of his welcome to those of us on these Benches and for his gentle guidance when learning the procedures of your Lordships’ House, such as the nod, the smile, and the twinkle in the eyes that have meant to the unsure, “Yes, you’re next”. The noble Lord has been a steady and kindly presence, for which we are most grateful.

At the side of any person who gives much to this House, there is often an understanding spouse or partner. I pay tribute to Olivia for all that she has given behind the scenes to enable the noble Lord to give so much here. I imagine there are a few faces around this place from which she might well have gained inspiration for some of her famous sculptures.

I suspect that there have been many times, while sitting on the Woolsack, when the noble Lord has wished to be out in the countryside, jumping the odd ditch or hedge and championing the things that he treasures about our farming and rural communities. That includes the local church and the encouragement and support that he gives to the clergy. As his personal motto puts it, “Floreat Rus”—let the countryside flourish.

Unless this is beginning to sound too much like a eulogy, I conclude by saying that I hope this next season will enable the noble Lord to follow his many other interests, including Greek life and culture, food and sunshine. May the Lord bless you and keep you, and give you peace.