Member

The amendment also continues the regrettable trend of the accretion of power and decision-making away from elected politicians and towards quangos and non-departmental public bodies—and more recently, inter alia, an activist judiciary. It is predicated on the idea that HOLAC is a model of success—but is it? Although noble Lords appointed by HOLAC are of course noted for their knowledge, skills, experience and wisdom, they would inevitably be drawn from a narrow educational, social, political, economic and demographic cohort. Will we see more working-class men from Yorkshire, Scotland, Cumbria or the east Midlands? Will see more young women, people from south Wales or disabled people? I doubt it. As my noble friend Lord Hannan rightly says, it is a myth that any public body can be truly independent and impartial. Every sentient thinking person is subject to predisposition, prejudice and assumption.