EXCL Lords Speaker slams peers who do 'precious little' as he calls on PM to overhaul system
2 min read
The Speaker of the House of Lords has hit out at peers who do "precious little" as he urged Boris Johnson to oversee a radical shake-up of the way they are appointed.
Lord Fowler said he had "had enough" of peers eager for the title but not willing to contribute to the business of the House, as he called for potential appointees to face interviews before landing a place on the red benches.
In an interview with The House magazine, the former Tory cabinet minister urged the Prime Minister to make a "fundamental change" to how peers are appointed, saying some entered the Lords "entirely unprepared" the job.
Lord Fowler said prospective peers should face an panel interview where they could be grilled on their plans to join select committees and take part in debates.
"The solution here is for all potential peers to be interviewed by a committee – the House of Lords Appointments Commission is the obvious choice – and for them to be asked bluntly what contribution they intend to make – not just speeches and questions on the floor of the House, but also in joining select committees," he said.
"Frankly we have had enough of peers who are eager enough for the honour of the title but do precious little when they arrive. They are a minority (I emphasise that), but it is difficult to justify their place in a modern working House."
"It needs to be remembered that the Lords is a chamber charged with the serious constitutional duty of checking Government legislation and holding ministers to account.
"Membership should not be considered just as a reward for past service: it is also comes with the expectation of a future contribution."
And he warned: "Some who come to the House are entirely unprepared. It is important that those who are appointed to this House are willing and able to accept the responsibilities and duties associated with being a legislator."
His comments come after a raft of peers came under criticism for claiming attendance allowances without contributing to parlimentary business.
In April, the Guardian revealed that Labour peer David Brookman trousered £50,000 in attendence and travel expenses during 2018 despite having never tabled a written question or speaking in a debate.
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