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House of Lords to see increase in Liberal Democrats House of Lords to see increase in Liberal Democrats
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More Liberal Democrats can expect to be sent to the House of Lords when David Cameron publishes a new list of peers shortly, the leader of the House of Lords said on Thursday.More Liberal Democrats can expect to be sent to the House of Lords when David Cameron publishes a new list of peers shortly, the leader of the House of Lords said on Thursday.
Despite the party’s poor showing in the general election when it won just 7.9% of the vote, the party can expect to see its numbers in the upper chamber swell, Lady Stowell said.Despite the party’s poor showing in the general election when it won just 7.9% of the vote, the party can expect to see its numbers in the upper chamber swell, Lady Stowell said.
The admission will end speculation about whether the Lib Dems will increase their influence in the upper chamber. The party currently has 101 peers, who already form 21% of the whipped party affiliated membership of the Lords.The admission will end speculation about whether the Lib Dems will increase their influence in the upper chamber. The party currently has 101 peers, who already form 21% of the whipped party affiliated membership of the Lords.
The party has lost its status as the third biggest party in the Commons, with only eight MPs, equal with the Democratic Unionist party and trailing the 56 MPs of the Scottish National party.The party has lost its status as the third biggest party in the Commons, with only eight MPs, equal with the Democratic Unionist party and trailing the 56 MPs of the Scottish National party.
Stowell told the Lords: “If and when a dissolution list marking the end of the previous parliament is published it would be surprising if it didn’t reflect the fact that there were two parties in [the last] government.”Stowell told the Lords: “If and when a dissolution list marking the end of the previous parliament is published it would be surprising if it didn’t reflect the fact that there were two parties in [the last] government.”
She added: “Of course there is always an acknowledgement of results at the last general election but this house has never historically reflected party balance.”She added: “Of course there is always an acknowledgement of results at the last general election but this house has never historically reflected party balance.”
Stowell’s comments came in a reply to the Labour peer Lord Campbell-Savours who told the house that Ukip and the Greens deserved more peers than the Liberal Democrats, and that any increase in Lib Dem numbers could bring the house into disrepute.Stowell’s comments came in a reply to the Labour peer Lord Campbell-Savours who told the house that Ukip and the Greens deserved more peers than the Liberal Democrats, and that any increase in Lib Dem numbers could bring the house into disrepute.
Membership Event: The Fight for Liberal Britain, with Tim Farron and Norman Lamb
“How can we justify adding to the existing Liberal Democrat peers who already form 21% of the whipped party affiliated membership of this house when they secured only 7.9% of the poll winning only eight seats on a collapsed national vote at the general election?“How can we justify adding to the existing Liberal Democrat peers who already form 21% of the whipped party affiliated membership of this house when they secured only 7.9% of the poll winning only eight seats on a collapsed national vote at the general election?
“Surely if we are listening to the people, even Ukip and the Greens have a greater claim on new peerages or we bring this house into disrepute and indeed ridicule,” he said.“Surely if we are listening to the people, even Ukip and the Greens have a greater claim on new peerages or we bring this house into disrepute and indeed ridicule,” he said.
Sir Alan Beith and Sir Menzies Campbell are rumoured to be among four or five Liberal Democrats to be on the list, which is usually published in June.Sir Alan Beith and Sir Menzies Campbell are rumoured to be among four or five Liberal Democrats to be on the list, which is usually published in June.
It is understood that Vince Cable, the former business secretary, David Laws, the former education minister, Simon Hughes, the former justice minister, and the former Treasury chief secretary Danny Alexander have turned down offers of peerages.It is understood that Vince Cable, the former business secretary, David Laws, the former education minister, Simon Hughes, the former justice minister, and the former Treasury chief secretary Danny Alexander have turned down offers of peerages.
Sir Jim Wallace, the leader of the Lib Dems in the Lords, argued that reform of the House of Lords – which would have seen 80% of peers elected and the total number of members halved to 450 – was in the coalition agreement, but was blocked by both the Conservative and Labour parties.Sir Jim Wallace, the leader of the Lib Dems in the Lords, argued that reform of the House of Lords – which would have seen 80% of peers elected and the total number of members halved to 450 – was in the coalition agreement, but was blocked by both the Conservative and Labour parties.
It is the first time in modern political history that a Conservative government has not also dominated the second chamber. The House of Lords Act 1999 removed the majority of hereditary peers, many of whom were Conservative supporters.It is the first time in modern political history that a Conservative government has not also dominated the second chamber. The House of Lords Act 1999 removed the majority of hereditary peers, many of whom were Conservative supporters.
The Lords is likely to be a battleground for the government as Conservative peers are heavily reliant on the support of crossbenchers to outnumber the opposition. The Conservative party has 228 members, Labour has 212 and there are 178 crossbenchers. The 101 Lib Dem lords currently make up 93% of the parliamentary party.The Lords is likely to be a battleground for the government as Conservative peers are heavily reliant on the support of crossbenchers to outnumber the opposition. The Conservative party has 228 members, Labour has 212 and there are 178 crossbenchers. The 101 Lib Dem lords currently make up 93% of the parliamentary party.