THIS week a moment of history was made as the new Labour Government watched over the first Kings speech the party had witnessed in government since the 1950's.

And one Cumbrian peer had a front row seat, partaking in the historical event on Wednesday, July 17 from the front bench in the House of Lords.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock was one of many peers who had to arrived in Parliament early to have robes fitted before entering the chamber at 9:30am - two hours before the arrival of the King.

The peers are in the chamber most of the morning, followed by the speech. Speaking about the occasion, Baroness Hayman said: "It was really quite an occasion, I have been at Queen's speeches and King's speeches before, but never for a Labour government. If you think of it in the context of a labour government, this was the first speech for a Labour government since the Atlee government.

"So it really felt like a historical moment in time, a huge change of government, a huge change of what we want to achieve and that moment of it being a Kings speech for a Labour government."

The Kings speech was followed by a short debate on the Kings before the leader of the House of Lords, then the House of Lords leaders for the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and the convener of the cross benchers all speak to commit to work together on the legislation.

The next day Baroness Hayman closed for the government in what was her first day at the despatch box as a Minister.

She said: "We were discussing three topics: environment, housing and devolution and energy. We had a debate which went on for around seven and a half hours, I had to close the debate on that which was wonderful to be able to do."

Baroness Hayman is now a member of government, after being appointed to the position Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on Tuesday, July 9, a role which she is incredibly privileged to hold.

She said: "I think all of us who have become part of the government are suddenly aware of that huge privilege and responsibility that is now sitting on our shoulders, because it's a very full legislative programme, there is a lot that we want to achieve and it's up to us now to ensure that we do pass that legislation and do achieve what this ne government wants to do for the country."