Read on Twitter
NEW BLOG: Unit Director & Lords expert Meg Russell analyses the effects of Boris Johnson’s newly announced #peerages list.
The 36 appointments push the chamber's size back over 800, reversing hard work by the @LordSpeaker & restraint under Theresa May. https://constitution-unit.com/2020/07/31/boris-johnsons-36-new-peerages-make-the-need-to-constrain-prime-ministerial-appointments-to-the-house-of-lords-clearer-than-ever/
The 36 appointments push the chamber's size back over 800, reversing hard work by the @LordSpeaker & restraint under Theresa May. https://constitution-unit.com/2020/07/31/boris-johnsons-36-new-peerages-make-the-need-to-constrain-prime-ministerial-appointments-to-the-house-of-lords-clearer-than-ever/
The lack of regulation of the PM's appointments to the Lords remains a huge problem.
He can appoint as many peers as he wants, whenever he wants, & with any party balance.
He could even appoint 1,000 sympathetic peers, as Jacob Rees-Mogg once proposed. https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/728872/House-of-Lords-block-Brexit-Salisbury-Convention-Article-50-High-Court-peers-Rees-Mogg
He can appoint as many peers as he wants, whenever he wants, & with any party balance.
He could even appoint 1,000 sympathetic peers, as Jacob Rees-Mogg once proposed. https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/728872/House-of-Lords-block-Brexit-Salisbury-Convention-Article-50-High-Court-peers-Rees-Mogg
The only constraints on the PM's appointments to the Lords are the propriety checks run by the House of Lords Appointments Commission
According to this story in today's @Telegraph, Johnson rejects even those - raising threats of a really retrograde step https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/07/30/furious-boris-johnson-threatens-lords-reform-peerages-tory-party/
According to this story in today's @Telegraph, Johnson rejects even those - raising threats of a really retrograde step https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/07/30/furious-boris-johnson-threatens-lords-reform-peerages-tory-party/
In terms of size these 36 appointments unravel the hard work of the Lord Speaker's Committee on the Size of the House, which had successfully begun managing the size of the chamber down from its highest point in 2016 towards a target of 600 members. https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/369/lord-speakers-committee-on-the-size-of-the-house
Those broad proposals, which also included a formula to maintain party balance, were also supported by @CommonsPACAC - when chaired by Brexit-supporting Conservative @bernardjenkin
Indeed it went further, wanting rules written into the Cabinet Manual. https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/327/public-administration-and-constitutional-affairs-committee/news/136017/mps-recommend-reducing-the-number-of-lords/
Indeed it went further, wanting rules written into the Cabinet Manual. https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/327/public-administration-and-constitutional-affairs-committee/news/136017/mps-recommend-reducing-the-number-of-lords/
The new appointments also further unbalance the Lords in favour of the government.
There will be 261 Conservatives and 179 Labour - a lead of 82. In contrast when Labour left office in 2010 its lead over the Conservatives was just 22.
This weakens the Lords' power of scrutiny.
There will be 261 Conservatives and 179 Labour - a lead of 82. In contrast when Labour left office in 2010 its lead over the Conservatives was just 22.
This weakens the Lords' power of scrutiny.
Significant frustrations have been expressed by the @LordSpeaker, the former Conservative Cabinet minister Norman Fowler.
He has even suggested that there should be a moratorium on new appointments. https://www.politicshome.com/thehouse/article/we-do-not-need-an-upper-house-of-800-members-its-time-for-a-moratorium-on-new-peers
He has even suggested that there should be a moratorium on new appointments. https://www.politicshome.com/thehouse/article/we-do-not-need-an-upper-house-of-800-members-its-time-for-a-moratorium-on-new-peers
So what can be done? More retirements from the Lords are not the answer (as the PM could simply fill it up again).
Parliamentary committees should strongly reiterate their commitment to a smaller, more managed Lords, as should other parliamentarians and party leaders.
Parliamentary committees should strongly reiterate their commitment to a smaller, more managed Lords, as should other parliamentarians and party leaders.
But ultimately only legislation can constrain the unfettered and outdated patronage powers of the PM.
Whatever happens, some urgent action is needed. As there is already talk of a further peerage list.
@uclnews https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/07/29/boris-johnson-planning-second-peerages-list-reward-donors-autumn/
Whatever happens, some urgent action is needed. As there is already talk of a further peerage list.
@uclnews https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/07/29/boris-johnson-planning-second-peerages-list-reward-donors-autumn/
