All articles written by Lord Cormack on PoliticsHome.com

17 Jan 2024 Books & culture

Forensic: Lord Cormack reviews Peter Hennessy’s 'Land of Shame and Glory'

Wise and even prophetic, Lord Hennessy’s examination of the UK’s recent political upheavals will both impress and depress you

13 Jul 2023 Books & culture

Elegantly written: Lord Cormack reviews 'Palace of Westminster: Faith, Art and Architecture'

Richard Hall is to be commended for this handsome and stimulating guide to the Palace of Westminster’s Christian cultural heritage

17 Apr 2023 Parliament

Lords Diary: Lord Cormack

The last Prime Minister’s Questions before Easter was a remarkable one

01 Mar 2023 Obituaries

'A dear friend': Lord Cormack pays tribute to Betty Boothroyd

A truly great speaker, Betty Boothroyd was also a wonderful, warm human being

23 Feb 2023 Culture

Ukraine needs a Marshall Plan to help restore and rebuild its looted cultural treasures

Our papers have been full of shocking images of destruction but not enough attention has been given to the merciless attack on Ukraine’s cultural heritage

29 Oct 2022 Political parties

Lord Diary: Lord Cormack

For the first time in over two years I feel hopeful. Rishi Sunak has indeed brought a smile to my face and – after the two most memorable (and for all the wrong reasons) years in my 52 in Parliament – I have a spring in my step.

05 Oct 2022 Parliament

The Houses of Parliament are not in competition – they are complementary

The Lords must be allowed to fulfil its constitutional duty by improving legislation – and the Commons must be given the time to consider it

18 May 2022 Books & culture

A remarkable study of the Tory Party’s divisions over Europe: Lord Cormack reviews 'Worm in the Apple'

An elegantly written masterclass in how to disagree agreeably, Lord Tugendhat's book charting the history of Conservative divisions over Europe is extraordinary

19 Apr 2022 History

Lords Diary: Lord Cormack

As I sit down to write this at the beginning of Holy Week, I look from my desk towards our great Lincoln cathedral and look forward to a series of solemn services and glorious music, culminating in the joys of Easter Day.

19 Oct 2021 Obituaries

'The epitome of decency': Lord Cormack pays tribute to Sir David Amess

Enthusiastic, good-humoured and kind, Sir David was deeply committed to the Commons, his constituents and his Catholic faith

19 Aug 2021 Obituaries

Tribute: Lord Cormack remembers Austin Mitchell

I first met Austin Mitchell in 1977 when I was supporting the Conservative Party candidate for Great Grimsby in the by-election triggered by the death of Anthony Crosland.

14 Jul 2021 Books & culture

‘Vivid and sincere’: Lord Cormack reviews David Amess' Ayes and Ears a survivor’s guide to Westminster

Part autobiography and part guidebook, Sir David Amess' book will be of particular help to newly elected Members baffled by some of the arcane language and practices of the House of Commons

16 May 2021 Social affairs

Lords Diary: Lord Cormack on "how to behave" lessons and the state opening

I was very glad that on the day we prorogued I was able to raise the issue of those 60 or so peers who face censure for failing to complete the compulsory “How to Behave” course before 1 April.

21 Dec 2020 Culture

'Making Dystopia': a coruscating denunciation of the cult of ugliness

Stimulating and provocative, James Stevens Curl has produced a work of awe-inspiring scholarship

03 Dec 2020 Culture

Our local heritage and iconic national buildings face permanent closure

We would be immeasurably the poorer without these historic places. Funding must be forthcoming to cover ongoing costs and support restart activity

10 Oct 2020 Political parties

We need fewer but better engaged members of the House of Lords

The House of Lords plays a crucial role but our numbers are too high. It must be populated by members willing to play their part in proceedings

29 Sep 2019

This political crisis could have been averted if the Government paid more heed to the Lords

The House of Lords adds great value to our Parliamentary and should have been allowed to play a more constructive role in Brexit debates, writes Lord Cormack

14 Jun 2019

How not to choose a prime minister

Rather than this ludicrous selection process, the system for choosing a prime minister should be swift and seemly, and result in the preferred choice of elected MPs being installed in No 10, says Lord Cormack

05 Feb 2018 Environment

We need measures to prevent the sale of ivory. But blanket solutions are rarely good ones

Stamping out the evil trade in ivory is a noble aim – but we must find a solution that safeguards legitimate collectors, writes Lord Cormack