The bill was introduced to the Lords two weeks ago. Now they will get the first opportunity to debate the proposals. It will then go to committee stage for line-by-line examination on January 6, before amendments are included at report stage and a third reading.

Then Commons MPs will do it all over again and the two houses may play ping-pong with the bill if any further changes are sought. Expect much hand-wringing; this won’t happen quickly.

The Lords’ first reading of the bill on November 19 was a formaility when Lord Young of Norwood Green merely read the bill out on behalf of Mandelson.