Latest news with #peerage
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Michael Gove takes his seat in the Lords: Ex-Tory minister becomes Baron Gove of Torry after being handed a peerage by Rishi Sunak
Former Tory minister Michael Gove took his seat in the House of Lords today. Baron Gove of Torry was sworn in to the upper chamber this morning, having been handed a peerage by outgoing PM Rishi Sunak. The Tory veteran, who was handed a peerage in Rishi Sunak's resignation honours list, wore the traditional scarlet robes for the short introduction ceremony at Westminster, where he swore the oath of allegiance to the King. Torry is the maritime area of Aberdeen where his father, Ernest, ran a fish-processing business. Mr Gove stood down at the last election after 19 years as MP for Surrey Heath, having held Cabinet positions including education secretary. He also helped to lead the Brexit campaign in 2016, before a high-profile falling out with Boris Johnson as they vied to lead the Conservative Party. He is now the editor of the Spectator magazine - also once edited by Mr Johnson. He was supported by close allies and fellow Conservative peers Baroness Finn and Lord Vaizey of Didcot. As he left the chamber, Lord Gove laughed loudly at a whispered comment made by leader of the Lords Baroness Smith of Basildon as she welcomed him to the upper chamber. The politician, who had been MP for Surrey Heath since 2005, was among the most high-profile members of the Conservative Party to call time on his Commons career at the last election. He cited the 'toll' of public office as he said it was time to let 'a new generation lead' following a political career spanning nearly 20 years. He conceded he had 'undoubtedly made mistakes' throughout his political career but said he had always 'tried to be a voice for those who have been overlooked and undervalued'. When in Government he sparked controversy after he suggested the upper chamber could move to Stoke-on-Trent during the multibillion-pound restoration of the parliamentary estate. The then levelling up secretary put forward the idea after ruling out the Queen Elizabeth II Centre, which is just a few minutes' walk from the Palace of Westminster in London, as an alternative location. It led former Lord Speaker Lord Fowler to accuse him of acting 'like a 19th century mill owner'. Speaking to the Aberdeen Evening Express last month about his title, Mr Gove said: 'It's really in memory of my dad who passed away in 2023. He meant everything to me. He was a wonderful man. 'I'd love for my dad to be remembered just as he was; a hard worker, a good businessman and someone who always cared about other people, someone who always tried to give a start to people others didn't see the potential in.' Mr Gove, now 57, was born Graeme Andrew Logan in Aberdeen on August 26, 1967. He was taken in and then adopted by Ernest and his wife, Christine, arriving with nothing but the clothes on his back.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
The former West MPs with new roles in the House of Lords
To MPs in the Commons it is known as "the other place".But being elevated to the House of Lords has provided a way back to the political fray for two former West Country Conservative Transport Secretary Mark Harper and ex-Shadow Culture Secretary Thangam Debbonaire were awarded life peerages following their respective defeats at last year's general said: "I'm hoping to be working hard. I'm going to be a working peer, so I shall be here as much as I can when the House is sitting and I'll get stuck in." The new role marks a return to politics for Harper, who lost his Forest of Dean constituency in Gloucestershire by less than 300 votes in July added that in his new position he hoped to contribute to internal Conservative party debates around how to be competitive again and "hopefully win the next general election".Labour's Debbonaire, defeated by the Green Party in Bristol Central, expressed a similar desire to immerse herself in her new role, calling it an "incredible privilege"."It wasn't a hard decision, primarily because I went into politics because I believe in public service, like most politicians of all parties," she said. "It was a new way to serve the public, which is your first and primary duty." She added: "Bringing my skills to work on a daily basis is really, I think, of benefit to my service to the public and the country."Critics have pointed to Debbonaire's previous criticism of the honours system and Labour's former committal to abolishing the House of Debbonaire said that a second chamber was necessary, and the government was following through on commitments to remove hereditary and Debbonaire join another familiar face who has recently taken his seat in the chamber, Bristol's former Mayor, Marvin known as Lord Rees of Easton, the new Labour peer made his maiden speech on 3 are all back in the political fray, spending time in the House debating and voting, but also having other roles elsewhere.
