The first ever night-long session proved too much for Britain's House of Lords, with ageing lawmakers sneaking off for short snoozes in the historic House of Westminster.
Beds had been laid out and dormitories marked for different sexes and political parties as the House of Elders debated the issue of reforming U.K.'s voting system. Free tea and biscuits were served all night long, but the Lord's bar downed the shutters at its scheduled closing 2230 hrs GMT. Though, soup and chocolates were at hand from the nearby Bishops sandwich bar.
This was the setting for the first trial of strength of the coalition era between the government and Labour in the House of Lords.
As the House hotly debated the issue, older peers sneaked off to take short snoozes in five rooms set aside, so peers could rest their heads between votes.
With the Leader of the Lords, Lord Strathclyde, accusing the opposition Labour party of slowing down the proceedings, the Monday nights sitting was the longest in living memory and went on well into Tuesday morning. While all night debates are a regular feature in the House of Commons, it is a rarity in the House of Lords.
