A senior Conservative peer has called on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to give Reform UK a voice in the House of Lords. Lord True, the Conservative leader in the upper chamber, argued that the party's success in winning Commons seats means its views should be represented in the Lords as well.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Lord True said: 'The beauty of this house is its complete freedom, so any person here wants to put down an amendment, that amendment must be heard. Having someone from a party that is represented in the House of Commons, to take a detailed part in examination and to put forward that party’s point of view, I think, is a sensible principle.'
The appeal follows a letter from Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to Sir Keir in August, requesting lifetime peerages for his party. Farage noted that Reform received over 4.1 million votes at the July general election and has since won many local government seats and a by-election.
Lord True also said he had called for more Labour peers under previous Conservative prime ministers, adding: 'Every party needs a refresh in the chamber, particularly a chamber where the average age is 70. You must have new people coming in.'
While the prime minister has full discretion over Lords appointments, it is not uncommon for leaders to invite nominations from other parties. In December, Sir Keir created 25 new Labour peers, along with five Liberal Democrats and three Conservatives. Other minor parties already represented in the Lords include the DUP, UUP, Green Party, and Plaid Cymru.
