Order! Order!

The first match between the Parliamentary houses of England, the House of Commons and the House of Lords, took place in 1975, following an initiative by Rixi Markus, the then bridge correspondent of the Guardian. It started with rubber bridge scoring, changing to duplicate in 1991. From Rixi’s death until his own in 1996 the event was sponsored by Jack Perry, then by his son Stephen Perry of London Export until 2014. It was then supported by Lord Kalms, a regular member of the Lords team until his death earlier this year.
This year’s match, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the event took place in the House of Lords at the end of November, the Commons winning for the twenty-second time, 92-65 IMPs.

Playing for the House of Lords: James Cooper, Lord Hamilton, Lord Razzall, Earl of Caithness, Baroness Blackstone, Lord Mendoza, Lord Oaksey and Lord Howard. Representing the House of Commons: Aaron Bell, Tony McWalter, Duncan Brack, Bob Blackman, Robin Squires, Evan Harris, Michael Mates and Steve Barnett.