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Proceeding contribution from Lord Spellar (Labour) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 25 March 2008. It occurred during Ministerial statement on Constitutional Renewal.

Constitutional Renewal

May I refer to the issue of judicial appointments? Is it not a fact that, like this country, nearly every other major country has significant political input in the appointment of judges, either from the legislature or the Executive, for the very good reason that public opinion needs to be able to influence the culture of the judiciary? Is not the alternative to have lawyers appointing judges, which would be quite unacceptable? We would have a self-perpetuating, out-of-touch, arrogant oligarchy in the judiciary, which would be very damaging to public confidence in the judiciary and in democracy.

Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
474 c29 
Session
2007-08
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Armed conflict Devolution Civil service Attorney General Church of England British constitution Bill of Rights House of Lords Judiciary Government departments Flags Intelligence and Security Committee Law Commission Dissolution Ministerial powers Prosecutions Public appointments Parliament Square Protest Parliamentary scrutiny Parliament Passports Prerogative of mercy Recall of parliament Scotland Treaties Reform Royal prerogative
Legislation
Draft Constitutional Renewal Bill
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk