The actual introduction day is something I will always cherish. It was the closest thing I’ll ever get to a wedding day. Come to think of it, it was like an arranged marriage to the state. The grandeur and history was all a bit overwhelming especially as the child of immigrants. Likewise for my tearful dad who came to this country in the 60s with three pounds in his pocket, an umbrella, very limited English – but big hopes.
What’s it like being there? Both weird and wonderful. If you grew up in the 1990s being mildly obsessed with politics, as I did, it’s quite something to be sat in the library next to someone you knew only from Spitting Image. I naturally suffer from imposter syndrome and am constantly expecting someone official-looking to tap me on the shoulder and say: “Come with me, please, there’s been a terrible mistake.”
‘I would like to say that seeing me in my ermine was the high point of the day for my friends who came along, but nothing came close to visiting the House of Lords gift shop’At this point you’re probably thinking, well, it all sounds annoyingly posh, nice and cosy. I mean it kind of is, but there’s also a huge amount of important work that gets carried out by diligent, impressive people from across the political spectrum – and which doesn’t get much attention.
Labour currently doesn’t have a majority and there is also a sizeable group of crossbench peers who are not politically affiliated, who are high flyers from many disciplines. This combination makes for deeper, more satisfying discussions around policy. Sitting in debates in the Lords is often like marinating in a great cauldron of experience, fierce intellect and wisdom. You can’t just wing it. There are a lot of experts around. Paging the soon to arrive Lord Gove!
There is also more cross-party work in the upper chamber, which is refreshing. The Leader Angela Smith and Chief Whip Roy Kennedy who are like the (platonic) Dempsey and Makepeace of British politics, are well respected, especially for their track record behind the scenes working with other groups – although there are battles raging, such as abolishing hereditary peers.
That’s not to say that there aren’t people in the Lords who shouldn’t be there or that the institution doesn’t need radical reform. I’ve mentioned hereditary peers, but there is more to do on modernisation. There are too many peers and in my view, if you don’t turn up and do any work, you shouldn’t be one. Or if you bring the place into disrepute.
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There has also been a big row over some younger people being made peers but I would defend them. Charlotte Owen (Conservative) and Carmen Smith (Plaid Cymru) have brought energy and much needed different perspectives to the Lords and championed issues such as how young women are being affected by AI-generated pornography. We need more representation.
That is perhaps the greatest thing about the Lords. I never ever feel bad about my age anymore.
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