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Coalition Government

My Lords, I had some concerns that the events of the past few days might dominate the debate today, so I am grateful that almost all the speakers managed to lift their eyes, for the majority of the contributions, from the narrow focus of the past few days and address the very important long-term issues inherent in any coalition in this country, and those that have arisen specifically in relation to this Government. The debate was conducted with courtesy almost all the time and, mostly, with good will. There were important and thoughtful speeches from our constitutional experts on all sides of the House—I, too, thank the right reverend Prelate for his contribution—and contributions from our own Constitution Committee. I especially thank the noble Lord, Lord Wakeham, for his wise words. I hope that he might take the noble Lord the Leader of the House aside for a bit of a pep talk. I also thank the noble Lord, Lord Owen, for cheering me up a great deal with his observations about the timing of the AV referendum. I thank the noble Lord the Leader of the House for answering the debate, which was a courtesy. I am sorry about his repeated remarks mocking Members of the House that he leads; I thought that they were inappropriate for a debate such as this. However, I thank him for the opportunity to say how much I look forward to a Labour Government—he need have no worries on that score. The noble Lord said that he was attracted by the proposals of the noble Lord, Lord Goodhart, but I do not believe that the majority of the House is attracted by them; nor, I believe, if I may be a little presumptuous, are the majority of his Benches. I look forward to a debate on the Cabinet Office manual—I will pop along to see the noble Lord and we will do our arithmetic together. I thank my noble friend Lady Royall for summing up on our side of House in such a measured, sensible and comprehensive way that looked towards the healing process of the future. I thank everyone who has participated, and I beg leave to withdraw the Motion for Papers. Motion withdrawn.