Labour peer George Foulkes has accused the Conservative Party, led by Kemi Badenoch, of intentionally stalling crucial legislation aimed at enhancing the lives of citizens, using questionable tactics in the process.
According to sources at The Mirror, the Tories have been engaging in disruptive actions in the upper house, such as defeating the government, even though they are outnumbered, and threatening to call for sudden votes. Currently, the Conservative party boasts 285 peers, outnumbering Labour’s 209 members, despite accounting for the removal of 44 Tory hereditary peers. While losing votes is expected, there is a growing frustration over the manipulation of procedures to impede progress and obstruct governmental initiatives.
In response to the delays in implementing policies related to rail, energy, and water that were supported by the public, the Prime Minister is finalizing a list of numerous new peerages to strengthen Labour’s presence in the House of Lords, including his departing policy advisor, Liz Lloyd.
Expressing support for the introduction of new peers, Baron Foulkes stated to The Mirror that while he advocates for abolishing the House of Lords, they must operate within the existing framework. He emphasized the urgent need for new members, citing the aging and absentee peers, and highlighted the necessity for fresh perspectives not only to balance the voting system but also to contribute to various committees and functions within the chamber.
Foulkes criticized the Tories for exploiting their significant majority to hinder the progress of essential legislation, citing instances where unseen peers were summoned solely to oppose Labour’s proposals.
In a previous instance, Keir Starmer’s list of peerages from December included twenty-four new Labour peers, featuring prominent figures like Sue Gray and Thangam Debbonaire.
The Conservative Party has been requested to provide a response to these allegations.