Member

As I have previously noted, I do not think that hereditary Peers, of which I am one, should be converted into life Peers en bloc in any number. The horse-trading towards such an outcome is regrettable. Consistent with my long-held ambition that the removal of the hereditaries should leave this House better and not worse as a legislative body, Amendment 51 would replenish the House with a more representative and varied membership. We should take the opportunity presented by this Bill to encourage greater diversity of experience and outlook in this House via HOLAC appointments, which will add to its wisdom and increase its standing in the eyes of the public whom we serve.