Following what has been described as a “very unserious” session of the House of Lords, calls are now emerging for serious change to the Upper House’s appointments process.
Former Lords Speaker and first Chairman of the House of Lords Appointments Commission, the Earl of Liverpool, is calling for the Commissions abolition.
Speaking in a statement provided to the BBC, he said:
“The conduct of Lords in tonight’s Chamber and in the past year is a damning indictment of the dwindling respect commanded by the House, and a direct consequence of an unserious and ineffectual HOLAC.”
What is the Appointments Commission?
The Lords Appointments Commission was established in October 2022 by His Majesty The King as an independent advisory body to make recommendations for the appointment of life peers in the House of Lords.
They are tasked with vetting all nominations to the House of Lords, including candidates for political parties.
Further backing from the Lords
The movement is receiving further backing, with the Lord Sid of Christchurch saying “they’ve [the Lords Appointments Commission] let all sorts into the f*cking chamber and its a joke now”.
Speaking to the BBC, the Lord Christchurch said:
“As a former Lord Speaker, I am joining the Earl of Liverpool in calling for the end of the Commission, which has has become a wholly unserious organisation willing to let all sorts into the House, at a time when standards continue to considerably dip and grifters get left unchecked.”