AT Westminster yesterday, Boris Johnson announced that a public inquiry into the handling of the Covid crisis would begin next spring. Labour opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer had an inquiry: Why? Why wait so long? But, told that there was probably more pandemic palaver to come in winter, and that it would be unwise to weigh down frontline staff with questions, Sir Keir promised that, despite some reservations, his party would be as helpful as it could. The Prime Minister’s updates on Covid are not occasions for too much disunity. It was really only the Nats who introduced a sour note, though Boris took a noticeably less hysterical approach in return, even correcting himself when he said “Scottish Nationalist (sic) Party”.
The new speaker of the House of Lords says he wants to deploy his ‘soft power’ in Scotland and help the union in a ‘non-political’ way. Lord John McFall, a former Labour MP for Dumbarton, was speaking about what he hopes to bring to his new role as speaker of the House of Lords last night. Speaking on the BBC’s Westminster Hour, Lord McFall said he wants to bring a “change agenda” to the speaker’s role which is required to be non-partisan and politically neutral. He said: “I will have my change agenda. One example: outward facing. I come from Scotland.
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Lord McFall of Alcluith has been elected as the Lords Speaker, to oversee peers in Parliament.
The ex-Labour MP beat rivals Baroness Hayter and Lord Alderdice to the role which comes with a £104,360 salary.
The election was triggered by the resignation of Lord Fowler who said he was standing down to speak his mind on issues he cares about like Aids.
The Lord Speaker presides over debates in the chamber and is responsible for security in the Lords area.
Lord McFall said he was humbled to have been chosen.
He said the Lords return to Westminster after the pandemic, and the restoration and renewal programme were challenges to be faced in the months and years ahead.