House of Lords probe in wake of Boris Johnson peerages
House of Lords memberships and roles are to be investigated within the wake of the controversy surrounding Boris Johnson’s resignation peerages.
MPs on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will launch the inquiry, it has been confirmed. William Wragg, who chairs the committee, will look at whether or not the present appointments system produces an efficient and trusted chamber and whether or not the principles governing that course of might be improved.
The Tory MP for Hazel Grove took goal on the former Prime Minister in a blistering Commons speech in April final 12 months when he mentioned he couldn’t reconcile himself to “the PM’s continued leadership of our country and the Conservative Party”. Mr Johnson’s full honours listing was revealed shortly earlier than he resigned on June 9, sparking a political row with Mr Sunak when MPs Nadine Dorries and Nigel Adams had been omitted.
READ MORE: ‘Rishi’s talking rubbish!’ Boris Johnson blasts back at PM over peerage claims
Mr Wragg mentioned: “Debates about wholesale reform of the second chamber have been around for decades, but this inquiry seeks to consider the immediate questions, that cannot wait for such reform, before they are addressed.”
Among the seven nominees within the long-awaited listing had been Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen and Charlotte Owen, a former adviser to Mr Johnson.
Recent days have additionally seen Tory politician Shaun Bailey face calls to show down his peerage after a video emerged of a mid-lockdown get together at Conservative Campaign Headquarters. The powers of House of Lords Appointments Commission (Holac), in addition to the scale and position of the second chamber, might be among the many points thought-about by the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee inquiry.
The cross-party committee will look at whether or not the present appointments system produces an “effective and trusted” higher chamber, with MPs additionally wanting on the relationship between the Lords and the Commons. There have been long-standing issues over the increasing dimension of the second home, with Labour pledging to abolish the Lords if it wins energy on the subsequent election.
Wragg mentioned: “The House of Lords plays an important constitutional role in the UK political system but there has long been concern about its size, membership and the appointments process.
“Previous inquiries from parliamentary committees concluded with clear recommendations to reduce the size of the chamber and reform the appointments process to maintain confidence in the Lords.
“The Government committed to review the matter, yet five years on we have seen no sign of reform, and large numbers of new members continue to be appointed.”
The committee will consider the possibility of reforms to the appointment system and whether changes are needed to the role and powers of Holac.
MPs will also ask whether the size of the Lords should be reduced and whether a term limit might be needed for membership, as well as what “expectations should be placed on peers as regards participation”.
It comes amid issues concerning the attendance file of some not too long ago appointed friends.