A great Prime Minister's early death Thursday, 11 July, 2024 Prime minister at the age of 24, the Younger Pitt died when he was 46 in 1806 after serving in the highest political office for eighteen years, a term exceeded in length only by Walpole. His health was never robust. It is well-known that he added to his problems by drinking heavily, and it is often said that drink killed him. Far from that being the case, the illness that proved fatal to him can... Articles
Double Coronations 10th July 2023 This letter was published in The Times on July 10. It was prompted by comments in the paper following a national service of thanksgiving and dedication in St... Articles
Veale found guilty of gross misconduct 5th July 2023 For many months Alistair Lexden asked repeatedly about the long delay in starting proceedings in Cleveland at which the discredited former chief constable Mike... Recent News
How can public confidence in the House of Lords be increased? 27th June 2023 Some say a new Upper House, wholly or partially elected, is essential. Others, like Charles Moore, think no change is needed. Others still believe that the... Articles
Why should a bereaved sibling be hit by an Inheritance Tax bill? 23rd June 2023 This is a question that Alistair Lexden has asked several times in the Lords. In 2017, he introduced a Private Member’s Bill, which would have meant that... Speeches
Stanley Baldwin: an unexpected Prime Minister one hundred years ago 23rd June 2023 On 19 June, Alistair Lexden spoke at a large meeting organised by the Bewdley Civic Society in Worcestershire to mark the centenary of Baldwin’s first... Speeches
A Deputy Speaker's stamina 21st June 2023 In early June, Alistair Lexden spent nearly seven hours chairing Lords proceedings—without a single break. He wrote about this unexpected, record-breaking spell... Articles
Johnson: Unfit to be a Privy Counsellor 17th June 2023 After the publication of the damning report by the Commons privileges committee on 15 June, it seemed that the parliamentary pass normally available to an ex-MP... Articles
Politics and princes 8th June 2023 On 6 June, during his evidence in the court case he has brought against the publisher of the Mirror, the Duke of Sussex lashed out at the Government, which he... Articles
Byron and his 'boyish beauty' lover 6th June 2023 The bisexual poet Byron had many lovers. One of the most scandalous and famous of his liaisons was with Lady Caroline Lamb, wife of the future prime minister... Articles