Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Close observers of the House of Lords may have spotted that a low level conflict that has been raging since the election ended - with defeat for the Lib Dem peers.

With the formation of the Coalition, the Lib Dems had to abandon their traditional seats, on the Opposition side nearest the throne. But they were keen to find a place where they could sit as a distinctive bloc, and opted for the simple solution of taking the seats opposite their former territory.

The snag was that those seats are, by ancient tradition the Bishops' Bench - and Right Reverend prelates, whose predecessors had defied Bloody Mary and James II, were not going anywhere. I don't think there was anything as un-lordly as actual jostling for position - it was more like pre-emptive towel-placing to secure a poolside lounger, in a hotel with large numbers of German guests.

But there was a certain irritation.

Anyway, now the Lib Dems have folded, and laid claim to a different set of seats. Metaphorical orange towels have now been placed on seats at the other end of the government side - between the middle set of benches where ministers sit at the front, and the overspill occupied by crossbench or independent peers who have been crowded out of the actual crossbenches.

Alas, new noses are now out of joint. The front bench of that section is traditionally (and tradition is almost everything in their Lordships' House) occupied by senior privy counsellors on the government side. Now it is being patrolled by Lib Dem peers who are also Right Honourable - so Shirley and Paddy and David and Bill are making sure their claim is well and truly staked.

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