Transcripts and records from the House of Lords

Keir Starmer Nominates Sue Gray, Partygate Investigator, and 30 New Labour Peers to House of Lords

Dec 20, 2024, 04:17 PM

Keir Starmer has nominated 30 new Labour peers to the House of Lords, including Sue Gray, his former chief of staff and the investigator of the Partygate scandal. This move comes as part of an effort to rebalance the political landscape in the Lords. The announcement was made by Downing Street, which confirmed Gray's elevation to a life peerage just weeks after her dismissal from her role. Alongside Gray, notable nominations include Thangam Debbonaire, Luciana Berger, and David Evans, as well as former union leaders such as Sir Brendan Barber and Mary Bousted. The peerage list has drawn criticism for perceived cronyism, particularly given Starmer's previous commitment to abolishing the House of Lords. Additionally, Kemi Badenoch is set to announce peerages for six Conservative nominees, including Thérèse Coffey and Rachel Maclean. The broader implications of these appointments may influence the dynamics within the House of Lords as Labour seeks to strengthen its position.