I do not know how many of my readers watched the Lords debate on the Internal Market Bill yesterday – it went on long into the night – but those that didn’t missed a treat.  There were outstanding contributions from many,  peers of all political persuasions, including, in no particular order:

• Lady Boothroyd
• Lord Pannnick
• The Archbishop of Canterbury
• Lord Judge
• Lord Stirrup
• Lord Kerr of Kinlochard
• Lord Bowness

In addition to the debate itself, their Lordships provided an eloquent argument – as good as any I’ve heard – in favour of a non-elected second chamber.  Those who spoke came not only from left and right, but a wide variety of backgrounds from which – for the most part – they excelled.  Lords Spiritual, Temporal, Political, Legal, and Combative.

It is an enormous benefit to this country to be able to draw on such a bank of experience, and that those who speak do so without fear or favour: a stark contrast to the House of Commons, a point emphasised by the current administration shambles.

And, so far as I could hear,  their Lordships were of one mind:  Johnson’s behaviour is without precedent, explanation, or reason.  It is dishonourable and it brings his government and our country into disrepute. It damages our reputation and our influence.