Member

I can vouch for the fact that being a Member of the House of Lords is not a position designed with the younger generation, nor those from other backgrounds, in mind. Instead of accepting this status quo and excluding participation, should we not be changing the system to enable broader and more meaningful participation? Throughout Committee, I have heard the arguments loud and clear against this place being about representation. I simply disagree: people who are affected by the laws we make here deserve to be here. Lived experiences matter, and I will not apologise for making the case for a second Chamber that is gender equal and includes people from all walks of life; a Chamber where the average age is 71, and which is 70% men, with an unbalanced number having experienced private education, is not that.