Member

The Labour Party has yet to sample the benefits of female leadership, but it does have stellar leadership within this House from the Lord Privy Seal—the noble Baroness, Lady Smith of Basildon. I am particularly grateful for her engagement. She has expressed sympathy for these efforts to secure female succession but has stated that this Bill is not the place to address the issue and that it is legally too complex for this Government to address. As to this Bill not being the right place, I disagree. Given that we are transferring jurisdiction, this is absolutely the time to ensure that the jurisdiction is exercised equitably. As to complexity, I disagree. Of course the patriarchy puts up barriers to its dismantlement; that is how it works. That is exactly the purpose of Amendment 94. It allows the Judicial Committee to consult on the exercise of its jurisdiction and to determine what steps might be taken to ensure equality. I challenge the Government to be brave, to channel Baldwin and to support these amendments. After 900 years, it is about time.