Lords Speaker election

[Peter]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4758615.stm

The Lord Chancellor formally handed over his powers as head of the Judiciary to Lord Chief Justice Phillips last month (though the Law Lords won't move out to their new home for a couple of years), and by the beginning of July he will lose his Speakership.

The Lord Chancellorship will continue to exist, effectively as a sinecure and presumably may detach from the Constitutional Affairs brief at some point.

Mentioned candidates:

Denis Carter, Baron Carter (Lab) - former Government Lords Chief Whip (97-02)
Helene Hayman, Baroness Hayman (Lab) - Junior Minister in various departments (97-01). One time Baby of the House in the 70s.
Margarter of Mar, 30th Countess of Mar (XB) - is an elected hereditary peer, in fact she won the most votes of all elected hereditary peers in 1999
Janet Fookes, Baroness Fookes (C) - I am not sure what she has done to distinguish herslef.
Nick Lowther, 2nd Viscount Ullswater (C) - former Government Lords Chief Whip (93-94) and Private Secretary to Princess Margaret (98-02). Returned to Lords in 2003 at a Lords by-election having been striped of automatic right by HoL Act 1999.
Julian Grenfell, Baron Grenfell (Lab) - Hereditary peer with a life peerage. Chairs the powerful EU committee.
Rupert Mitford, Baron Redesdale (LD) - Another hereditary peer with a life peerage. Was the youngest life peer ever created and is still a mere 39 years old.
David Steel, Baron Steel (LD) - Hardly needs an introduction. Leader of the Liberal Party, 1976-88. Represented a border constituency at Westminster (65-97). One time Baby of the House. Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament (99-03). Knight of the Thistle.

[J. J.]

My guess will be the Countess of Mar.  The House may try to emulate the commons with a "non-partisan" presiding officer.

Has other advantages.  Represents the hereditary peers to an extent, woman, went to school in Africa, worked in the civil service.  Could be seen as continuing the traditions of the House, while adapting it.

She need a campaign manager? 

[Peter]

Both Ullswater and Steel have "non partisan" experience as a Royal Householder and Scottish Presiding officer respectively.

Given that the Lords is roughly divided between Labour, Tories and XBers, it is reasonable to assume the contest may well come down between these three groups. Given that Labour have a few candidates, it may well hamper their candidates. I suspect an Ullswater v. Mar race, though I could be totally wrong.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

And the candidates are:

Lord Boston of Faversham (XB)
Lord Elton (Con)
Baroness Fookes (Con)
Lord Grenfell (Oth.)
Baroness Hayman (Lab)
Countess of Mar (XB)
Lord Redesdale (LDem)
Lord Richard (Lab)
Viscount Ullswater (Con)

Party stuff from House of Lords website.

Lords Redesdale has said that: "If I get the job I'll do as little as possible".

[J. J.]

Please keep us posted on this.

[Peter]

I'll stick with Ullswater v. Mar, though Elton could be a wildcard to watch.

[minionofmidas]

And the candidates are:

Lord Boston of Faversham (XB)
Lord Elton (Con)
Baroness Fookes (Con)
Lord Grenfell (Oth.)
Baroness Hayman (Lab)
Countess of Mar (XB)
Lord Redesdale (LDem)
Lord Richard (Lab)
Viscount Ullswater (Con)

Party stuff from House of Lords website.

Lords Redesdale has said that: "If I get the job I'll do as little as possible".

What sort of "Other" is Grenfell?

[Filuwaúrdjan]

According to the House of Lords website, he's Non-Affiliated. One of the XB candidates was a Labour M.P in the '60's, btw. Guess which one

[Peter]

Lord Grenfell is presently chairman of the EU Committee - rules surrounding the Chairmanship of Lords' Committees are such that one must officially become a "Deputy Speaker" when one heads a committee within the House.

To hold such a position you must either have been elected into it (as 15 of the hereditary peers were), or if another type of peer, you are expected to take no party whip whilst holding the post. I am not sure why the convention is as such, but it is.

Lord Grenfell used to be a Labour peer. I think he should be able to sit as an XBer, but perhaps he chooses not to.

[J. J.]

When will the vote take place?  Is it inside or outside the Lords?

If outside, we could see record turnout.

[Peter]

The electorate is the House of Lords.

[J. J.]

The electorate is the House of Lords.

Yes, but do they poll during a session of the Lords or ballo outside of it?

[Peter]

The present session will close on 25 July (source), and the election is held on 28 June.

[J. J.]

The present session will close on 25 July (source), and the election is held on 28 June.

I though we might get a record turn out, but I guess not, if they are voting when the House is not in session.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Hayman has won. When I find figures, I'll post them.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

First round:

Boston (XB) 22
Elton (Con) 52
Fookes (Con) 12
Grenfell (O) 103
Hayman (Lab) 201
Mar (XB) 55
Redesdale (LDem) 17
Richard (Lab) 45
Ullswater (Con) 74
---
Total: 581

Final round:

Hayman 263
Grenfell 236

Details of the rounds inbetween can be found here: http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/SpeakershipElectionResult.pdf