Member

In conclusion, let us never forget that it is not just our reputation to perform our duty to scrutinise that hangs in the balance. As a result of our consideration of the Bill, the lives of people far more vulnerable than many of us will ever be hang in the balance too. Those who have no voice are depending on us, however loud the siren voices to rush our scrutiny, to subvert the transparency of the House—where, as my noble friend Lord Harper reminded us, every word spoken is on the public record—and to do grubby deals through some shady, so-called shadow usual channels process. We must not fail them. I trust that the noble and learned Lord realises that how he responds to this and other amendments will show whether he appreciates that our reputation depends on our not failing them.