A leading Conservative figure in the House of Lords has publicly urged Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to grant the Reform UK party a voice in the upper chamber. The intervention follows a direct appeal from Reform leader Nigel Farage for lifetime peerages for his party.
Conservative Peer Makes the Case for Reform
Lord True, who leads the Conservatives in the Lords, argued that Reform UK's success in winning seats in the House of Commons means their perspective should also be heard during legislative scrutiny in the Lords. He emphasised the principle of representation, telling the Daily Telegraph that the Lords' strength lies in its freedom to debate.
"The beauty of this house is its complete freedom, so any person here wants to put down an amendment, that amendment must be heard," Lord True stated. "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."
Farage's Demand and Party Defections
This public call echoes a private letter sent by Nigel Farage to Sir Keir Starmer in August, first reported by The Times. In it, Farage pressed for life peerages to be awarded to Reform figures "at the earliest possible opportunity." He cited his party's electoral mandate, noting it received over 4.1 million votes at the July 2024 general election, leads in national opinion polls, and has won local council seats.
The party's presence in the Lords has already begun through defection. In December, former Conservative life peer Malcolm Offord announced he was joining Reform UK. Lord Offord confirmed he would relinquish his seat in the Lords as he prepares to stand in the Scottish Parliament election this May.
Broader Calls for Lords Refresh and Recent Appointments
Lord True also revealed he had previously advocated for more Labour peers to be appointed during the Conservative premierships of Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss. He stressed the need for continual renewal in a chamber where the average age is 70. "Every party needs a refresh in the chamber," he said. "You must have new people coming in."
While the Prime Minister holds sole discretion over Lords appointments, it is customary for leaders to invite nominations from other parties. In a recent round in December, Sir Keir created 25 new Labour peers, while the Liberal Democrats received five and the Conservatives three. Other parties currently represented include the DUP, UUP, the Green Party, and Plaid Cymru.
The debate touches on the ongoing evolution of the House of Lords and how it reflects the changing political landscape, particularly the rise of significant new political forces like Reform UK.
