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Members of the House of Lords gathered in the River Room earlier this week to toast the launch of BBC Democracy Live.
Peers were told by Sir Michael Lyons, the chair of the BBC Trust, that the new online service is an important tool for scrutinising the executive and holding parliamentarians to account.
Sir Michael also launched a passionate defence of the BBC and the role of the Trust.
He said that Democracy Live is "a strong fit with our public service remit" and it meets the public appetite for accountability.
BBC Democracy Live provides access to video coverage of the Houses of Parliament, all the devolved British legislatures and the European Parliament.
Bringing together live and archived historical video coverage for the first time, the site is an attempt both to open up the workings of parliaments to voters and educate the public about the work of British political institutions.
The site also provides visitors with the ability to track the activity of up to five MPs, giving voters an easy method of checking up on their representatives' contributions to parliamentary debate.
Tuesday's launch event was hosted by the Lord Speaker, Baroness Hayman.
She reflected on the uniquely turbulent year that parliament has been through.
"It is absolutely critical to rebuild confidence," she said.
She told her BBC guests that the timing of the new service is "perfect" and would help the public understand what the Lords and Commons are for and judge the quality of the work done by peers and MPs.
Mark Byford, the BBC's deputy director general, said Democracy Live is world class and not just for political anoraks.
It is available for everyone who wants to engage with politics on a regional, national and European level, he said.
Among those who attended the event were Lord and Lady Howe, Baroness Turner of Camden, Lord Pearson, Lord Fowler, Lord Dykes, Baroness D'Souza, Baroness Morris of Yardley, Lord Butler and Lord McNally.
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