Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill

Lord Desai Excerpts

Thursday 20th January 2011 Lords Chamber

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock]

My noble friend Lady Liddell never thought it, but some people thought she had been appointed Governor-General of Australia. I know that she would have made a very good Governor-General, and indeed she and the noble Lord, Lord Goodlad, were excellent high commissioners in their time.

I had better bring my remarks to a close. I am deeply worried about the noble Lord, Lord Thomas of Gresford. He is someone for whom we have the greatest of concern and care for his future, his health and everything else. Earlier we saw him nearly have a paroxysm or a heart attack because I and others went on for too long, so I am anxious that he and the other Liberal Democrats are allowed—

[Lord Desai]

Let me remind my noble friend that the Labour Party should not get romantic about the Empire, of all things. Good as Governors-General are, it is when they are gone that a country feels better.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock]

That is a wonderful note for me to finish on. I agree with my noble friend Lord Desai.