24 November 2014

Whats Coming Up

Quote of the Week

Monday: Baroness Benjamin will be asking
the Government what they are doing to
encourage links with young entrepreneurs
in the Caribbean and across the
Commonwealth.

The Wales Bill will receive its Third Reading.

Baroness Randerson, representing the
Government, has tabled amendments, announced during the Bills Report Stage,
to enable the Welsh Assembly to allow votes at 16 for referenda in Wales. These
changes would not have happened without the hard work of Lord Tyler, working
alongside Jenny Randerson, to highlight this issue.

They are struggling to have their

voices heard but they do have a
very important role to play in the
future development of their
country.
Archy Kirkwood highlights the
importance of providing
opportunity for all across the globe

Tweet of the Week

Tuesday: Lord Newby will be leading, as Minister, the National Insurance

Contributions Bill Second Reading.
The House will hold a debate on the positive impact of the
European Union. The debate will see Baroness Smith
making her maiden speech. Julie Smith is the Director of the
European Centre and Senior Lecturer in International
Relations at the Department of Politics and International
Studies at Cambridge University.
Wednesday: Lord Thomas will be talking about the important role that
musicians, poets and artists had in World War One in the Question for Short
Debate on the matter.

Baroness Bakewell will be highlighting the impact of flooding in

Somerset as part of the debate on flood defences across the UK.

Baroness Northover
(@LPNorthover) gets some big
names on board with her work
towards cutting cancer and
respiratory diseases worldwide

Full schedule here

Next weeks bills
Consumer Rights Bill
Report Stage

Wales Bill

Third Reading

National Insurance
Contributions Bill
Second Reading

Lib Dem Lords

in Government
Baroness Northover spoke at the International Conference on Nutrition as
the representative for the UK Government. Addressing the Conference, in
which the Pope also spoke on the problems faced in overcoming
malnutrition, Lindsay Northover highlighted the fact that malnutrition can
lead to lifelong mental and physical stunting, a problem that damages
children, their futures and the societies they live in.
Lindsay has also announced that the United Kingdom has joined global
action and pledged 31m to help prevent millions of people dying from illnesses linked to cooking over coal,
wood, dung or biomass stoves. Figures from the World Health Organisation show that every year 4.3m
people die from illnesses caused by exposure to household air pollution. This is more than the number of
people dying from Aids, malaria or tuberculosis combined. Women and girls are particularly at risk.
__________________________

Baroness Garden took through the final regulations associated with the Same-Sex Marriage Act, allowing
those in civil partnerships to convert them into marriages (see below).
Speaking in the chamber Sue said: Both this House and the other place overwhelmingly supported the
passage of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013, a change which has brought joy to a great many
people who now feel that they are truly recognised as equal under the law of this land. That is a major
development for this country, and one very much to be celebrated.
I am pleased to be able to bring these statutory instruments before the House, allowing conversion of civil
partnerships into marriages and allowing couples who wish to do so to remain married if one or both of them
change their legal gender.
__________________________
Baroness Kramer has been appointed to Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council

Last Weeks Business

Lib Dems welcome final steps of Same-Sex Marriage Act

Baroness Garden, Government spokesperson on Equalities, took through the House the final
regulations to the Same-Sex Marriage Act that allow those in civil partnerships to marry.
Speaking in the chamber Lord Paddick, formerly the UKs most senior openly gay police officer,
welcomed the regulations: Today we are nearing the end of the legislative road as far as equality
for same-sex couples in the UK is concerned. There have been some ironies along the way When
the Labour Party came to power, it repealed Section 28, although it had to invoke the Parliament
Act to overcome opposition in this House. How times have changed.
It was left to this coalition Governmenta Conservative-led coalition Governmentto achieve equality for same-sex
couples. It was the Liberal Democrat MP, the right honourable Lynne Featherstonethe then Parliamentary UnderSecretary of State for Equalitieswho proposed that the Government introduce legislation to allow equal marriage.
To his credit, the Prime Minister agreed despite opposition from many in his own party.
Sue Garden ended the debate saying: In drawing to a close, I celebrate the part this House has played in the passage
and implementation of the Act. It has been a momentous step forward for LGB&T equality and one of which we
should rightly be proud. As other noble Lords have said, there has been cross-party agreement all around the
Chamber on the best way forward.

Floella Benjamin calls for better protection for children online

Speaking in the debate on the digital impact of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, childrens TV
presenter, Baroness Benjamin spoke about the dangers digital and social media can have on children without
making sure they are used safely.
Speaking in the debate Floella said: Public opinion and policymakers seem to lurch from knee-jerk reaction to kneejerk reaction. Yes, the internet is full of predators, full of bullies, full of silly games, and children must be protected
from all this. But the internet is also full of important and valuable things such as information, knowledge, news, fun
and friendship.
The internet and technological developments have given children and young people access to economic, social and
political opportunities across the world, which is wonderful. However, many parents feel disempowered by an
environment that ignores their rights to protect their children online. Access to their childrens data and images is
withheld by the companies that have created their childrens online world. There are international laws in place
protecting children online. However, parents are beginning to realise that in the UK, their online rights do not match
their rights offline.
On the blog this week:
o

Lib Dem DFID Minister Lindsay Northover Backs Global Plans To Protect People From Cancer And Respiratory
Illness

Roger Roberts: We Must Abolish The Azure Card Now

Susan Kramer Confirms Step-Free Access Funding For Crossrail

Dee Doocey: Protecting Children Should Be At The Centre Of The Fight Against Slavery

William Wallace: Britains International Priorities, 2015-2020

Paul Tyler: Progress On Voter Engagement And Votes At 16

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