20 h. ago Tories fight abolition of hereditary peers as Labour’s Lords reforms stall

Keir Starmer’s plan to replace upper house was scaled back to scrapping hereditaries – but even that is proving difficultWhat is the House of Lords and what do peers do?Calls for Labour peer to be investigated over cash-for-access claimsAbolishing hereditary peers was supposed to be the easy part of House of Lords reform for Labour, which grandly set out plans three years ago to replace the second chamber altogether. But on Monday Conservative peers will make an effort to clog up the legislation as it goes through parliament, suggesting delays to allow abolished hereditaries more time to find a job, allowing some of them to stay, or even converting them to become life peers.As a detailed scrutiny of the bill gets under way, 116 amendments have been put forward, which are likely to be debated individually. Some propose progressive changes such as cutting numbers of peers, introducing attendance requirements and getting rid of bishops from the house, but many are aimed at watering dow...

Politics

3 d. ago Baroness Chapman replaces Anneliese Dodds as development minister

The Labour peer, a former MP for Darlington, served as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s political secretary between 2020 and 2021.

Politics

5 d. ago 'Disgrace' Fury as covid evidence on Michelle Mone linked PPE firm to be heard in private

Labour peer Lord Foulkes branded the decision as a "disgrace".

Economics

6 d. ago Exposed: Labour peer’s involvement in what appears to be a cash

Lord David Evans of Watford said ‘our mates now have senior jobs’ and advised on how to approach Angela RaynerProfile: who is Lord David Evans of Watford?Explainer: what are the House of Lords rules?A Labour member of the House of Lords offered access to ministers during discussions about a commercial deal worth tens of thousands of pounds, an undercover investigation can reveal.Lord David Evans of Watford, 82, was recorded also explaining to undercover reporters – who were posing as property developers looking to lobby the government – on how to approach Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister and housing secretary. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Revealed: how members of House of Lords benefit from commercial interests

Months-long Guardian investigation exposes weaknesses in code of conduct that could trigger calls for greater reformCalls to toughen Lords rules as it is revealed one in 10 peers are paid for political adviceWhat is the House of Lords and what do peers do?A Guardian investigation into the House of Lords raises questions over the accountability of parliament’s second chamber, with revelations about how a string of peers are benefiting from commercial interests.One in 10 members have been hired to give political or policy advice, according to their own declarations, and others do paid work for companies that could conflict with their role as legislators. The findings expose weaknesses in the Lords code of conduct and raise questions about whether the rules on lobbying and paid employment should be tightened in line with restrictions signed up to by MPs.Nearly 100 members of the Lords are paid to give political or policy advice by commercial firms.A Labour peer offered access to minist...

Politics

8 d. ago Labour must take the fight to Reform before Senedd polls, Carwyn Jones warns

Lord Jones said he wants to be a ‘voice for Wales’ and a proponent for devolution in Parliament’s upper chamber.

Events

8 d. ago Labour must take the fight to Reform ahead of Senedd polls, Carwyn Jones warns

Lord Jones said he wants to be a ‘voice for Wales’ and a proponent for devolution in Parliament’s upper chamber.

Events

1 week ago Tories warned they may get fewer new Lords after trying to block Labour's attempt to kick the last hereditary peers out of the upper House

The Government is currently engaged in a battle to eject the remaining 92 hereditary peers from the upper chamber.

Events

1 week ago Keir Starmer faces criticism from Labour MPs over his opposition to Palestinians claiming asylum in Britain

More than a dozen serving Labour MPs and peers have told the Prime Minister to explain why he has vowed to close a 'loophole' that allowed a family in war-torn Gaza to settle in the UK.

Events

2 w. ago More than 900 Labour figures decry party’s migration and asylum policy

Joint statement accuses government of copying Tories’ ‘performative cruelty’A group of more than 900 Labour members and trade unionists, including MPs and peers, have accused the government of copying the “performative cruelty” of the Conservatives in its migration and asylum policy.In a joint statement, they singled out the Home Office’s decision, revealed last week, to refuse citizenship to anyone who arrives in the UK via “a dangerous journey” such as a small boat over the Channel. Continue reading...

Events