The Bishop’s personal favourites included giant mechanical spider La Machine, Sir Paul McCartney’s Anfield concert and the joint recital by Liverpool and Cologne orchestras of Benjamin Britten’s Requiem.
He also admitted quiet pride over the fact visits to his own landmark Anglican cathedral rose from 400,00 to more than 700,000, overtaking Salisbury cathedral.
“Not that we are in competition,” he said swiftly.
His motion urging culture should be treated as a “frontline” service won cross-party support from Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.
Lord Williams of Elvel said: “2008 was not a middle-class effort but united the whole community.”
Lord Rodgers of Quarry Bank said it sparked a “renaissance” in Merseyside.
He added: “Culture drives economic change, health and social inclusion.”
