Vithanage Erandi Kawshalya Madhushani Jade Times Staff
V.E.K. Madhushani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Political.
Labour Strengthens Presence in the Lords with New Appointments
The government has announced the appointment of 30 new Labour peers to the House of Lords, including notable former MPs and key allies of Sir Keir Starmer. Among the appointees is Sue Gray, the former chief of staff to the prime minister, whose peerage confirms widespread speculation following her recent departure from her Downing Street role.
The announcement comes just two months after Gray stepped down from her post, a move that had sparked debates over her influence within the Labour Party.
A Broader Reshuffle Across the House of Lords
Alongside Labour's new additions, the Conservative Party has appointed six new peers, including former deputy prime minister Thérèse Coffey and Spectator associate editor Toby Young. The Liberal Democrats also added two new peers to their ranks.
The current composition of the House of Lords includes 273 Conservative peers, 187 Labour peers, and 78 from the Liberal Democrats. Additionally, there are 184 crossbench peers who are not affiliated with any political party.
Labour’s Previous Pledge to Reform the Lords
In 2022, Labour had outlined an ambitious plan to abolish the current 805-member House of Lords and replace it with a reformed second chamber. However, this pledge was scaled back before July's election. Instead, Labour committed to consulting on potential reforms while enacting immediate changes such as eliminating the 92 hereditary peerages and instituting a retirement age of 80.
The party also plans to introduce stricter rules to ensure participation, alongside mechanisms to remove peers who have been "disgraced."
The Road Ahead for the House of Lords
The latest appointments come amid continued discussions about the future structure and function of the House of Lords. Labour's renewed influence within the chamber could signal a shift in legislative dynamics, though debates about reform are likely to remain contentious.
While Labour's long-term vision for reforming the House of Lords may take time to materialize, the party's latest appointments underline its intent to strengthen its role in the current system.
