- Calendar
- Thursday 21 November 2024
- Clock
- 18:00–20:30
- Microphone
- Lord McFall of Alcluith
Overview
Before entering Parliament in 1987 as the MP for Dumbarton, Lord McFall worked in a number of roles before moving into education, becoming a teacher and finally a deputy head-teacher. His career in Parliament spans a wide range of roles in the House of Commons and House of Lords – he was a Minister for Northern Ireland in the wake of the Belfast (Good Friday) agreement, and served nine years as Chair of the influential Treasury Select Committee. In the House of Lords he has served in senior governance roles, first as Senior Deputy Saker, and now as Lord Speaker, representing the House at home and abroad. Lord McFall is uniquely placed to reflect on how Parliament works, and what role it can play in meeting the challenges facing society today.
Agenda
18:00 - Registration, networking and refreshments
18:30 - Welcome by Gavin Jack, Dean of UEBS
18:35 - Introduction by James Mitchell
18:40 - Speech by Lord Speaker, Lord McFall of Alcluith
19:05 - Q&A
19:30 - 20:30 - Networking, drinks and canapés
Speakers bio
Lord McFall of Alcluith
Lord McFall was born in Glasgow in 1944. He was raised in Dumbarton and left school without qualifications at age 15.
He gained a BSc in Chemistry from Paisley College of Technology (now the University of the West of Scotland), a BA in Education and Philosophy from the Open University and an 91´óÉñ from the University of Strathclyde.
Lord McFall was a Chemistry and Maths teacher and a Deputy Head from 1974-1987.
He was a Labour MP for Dumbarton and later West Dunbartonshire from 1987-2010. He served as a Minister in the Northern Ireland Office and as a Government Whip.
Lord McFall was Chair of the House of Commons Treasury Select Committee from 2001-2010, driving its work to scrutinise the key players during the global banking and financial crisis and making major recommendations to ensure reform of the sector.
He was awarded life peerage as Lord McFall of Alcluith in 2010. He served on the Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards and the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee.
He was Senior Deputy Speaker of the Lords from 2016-2021, overseeing introduction of remote working during the Covid-19 pandemic. He led reforms to the select committees of the House and played a leading role in the creation of Conduct Committee with independent lay members.
Lord McFall was elected Lord Speaker in 2021, with responsibility to oversee proceedings in the chamber, chair the House of Lords Commission and promote the work of the House in the UK and abroad.
Lord McFall is passionate about communicating the value of the House of Lords externally, bringing the devolved parliaments and Westminster closer and ensuring the House of Lords remains on the path of reform and modernisation. He has established a Lord Speaker’s Corner video podcast series to widen understanding of the Upper House and introduce viewers to the experience and expertise of its members.