@nickolester profile picture
Nick Lester @nickolester

US editor @PA based in Washington DC

Joined August 2009
  • Tweets 2,740
  • Following 605
  • Followers 929
250 Photos and videos
Unhappiness both in and outside @UKHouseofLords over The Fence, coming hot on the heels of #doorgate controversy independent.co.uk/news/uk/ho…

‘No plans’ for watch towers outside House of Lords as new security fence erected

The long length of high metal railing has provoked controversy at Westminster with concerns it ‘cuts off sightlines’ to potential attackers.

independent.co.uk
Nicholas Boys Smith@boys_nicholas
8 Jul 2025
While the French are creating luxury buses to serve their @UNESCO World Heritage sites, we are erecting prison bars around ours.
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Nick Lester retweeted
Tim Baker
@TimJ_B
12 Jun 2025
Why you need someone watching parliamentary debates £10m House of Lords door does not work @nickolester lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/ne…

New House of Lords front door that cost almost £10 million does not work

The price tag rocketed by nearly 60 from the original estimate.

lancashiretelegraph.co.uk
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Nick Lester retweeted
Richard Wheeler@richard_kaputt
5 Jun 2025
Well, that was an unexpected mention at business questions from Commons Leader Lucy Powell…
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Richard Wheeler@richard_kaputt
28 May 2025
After 12 years, & almost nine as parliamentary editor, I'll be leaving PA's parliament team at the end of next week. The decision follows a really tough few weeks after the management proposed cuts to the team. Not sure what's next beyond a break, but it's a fresh opportunity.
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Was it something I said? Lord Gove's laugh shatters the rarefied atmosphere of @UKHouseofLords in response to a whispered comment by leader Baroness Smith of Basildon, as she welcomed the new peer to the chamber. Story @PA
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Brexiteer Lord Lilley reveals he is a French farmer. Register of interest entry states ‘Small agricultural land holding with sheep in France’ independent.co.uk/news/uk/ho…

Prominent Brexiteer declares he is a French farmer as takes sideswipe at EU

A Tory former Cabinet minister presses the Government in Parliament over its ‘reset’ deal with the bloc.

independent.co.uk
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'Hurry up' - Labour's Lord Browne of Ladyton is encouraged from across the chamber by Tory peer Lord Vaizey of Didcot to finish his question @UKHouseofLords
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'It is not size that matters but the perception of it' The lighter side of the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill courtesy of Tory frontbencher Baroness Finn
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Reported by @PA on March 11
Nick Lester@nickolester
19 Mar 2025
The Government has already made changes to the Bill at report stage in response to concerns during its passage through @UKHouseofLords , including placing a duty on the regulator to avoid having a negative impact on the financial growth of English football as well as investment.
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The Government has already made changes to the Bill at report stage in response to concerns during its passage through @UKHouseofLords , including placing a duty on the regulator to avoid having a negative impact on the financial growth of English football as well as investment.
Harry Cole
@MrHarryCole
19 Mar 2025
No10 on Monday after I revealed this was being discussed at highest levels of government.... "We remain committed to the bill" (legislating for the regulator) Hmm.....
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'Don’t piddle down my back and tell me that it’s raining': Rustic rebuke issued by Lord Cromwell in @UKHouseofLords over abrupt halt to nature-friendly farming payments scheme. Full story at @PA of course
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A despatch box slip by Labour frontbencher Lord Leong provides a light-hearted moment in the @UKHouseofLords
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'Leisurely conversations' will not be tolerated. Deputy speaker Baroness Fookes lays down the law in @UKHouseofLords
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Beavers have been targeting Tory peer Lord Forsyth of Drumlean @UKHouseofLords
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The yawns have it @UKHouseofLords Lord Vaizey of Didcot struggles during a question by Lord Farmer
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'I have so many jokes about size in my head at the moment' - Carry On the Upper Chamber starring foreign minister Baroness Chapman of Darlington
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The Lord Speaker jumped the gun at the start of proceedings in @UKHouseofLords by calling the first question when two peers had yet to be introduced. A clerk saved the day with the international signal to sit down, but it still caused a flurry of confusion on the Lib Dem benches
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Tory shadow chief whip in @UKHouseofLords Baroness Williams of Trafford overshoots as she heads to the Woolsack to deliver the result of a vote. Cue hilarity. When the House is in committee the deputy speaker sits at the table
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More people should be encouraged to drink Scotch whisky, a Labour frontbencher has said as he declared at the despatch box he 'might need a stiff one' himself @UKHouseofLords independent.co.uk/news/uk/do…

Drinking of ‘flavoursome’ Scotch whisky urged by Labour frontbencher

US President-elect Donald Trump has fuelled concerns over protectionism with the threat to impose levies on global imports.

independent.co.uk
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Forget Lords a leaping more like peers a puffing, according to Baroness Fox of Buckley @UKHouseofLords
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