David Cameron was absolutely right to say this morning that he won't be giving Sir John Butterfill a peerage. Several people have asked whether as former Cabinet Ministers and Privy Councillors, Hoon, Hewitt and Byer have an automatic right to a peerage. The answer is that they do not. While most Prime Ministers operate by a convention whereby ex Cabinet Ministers are indeed put in the Lords, there is no contitutional precedent for it. Sir John Nott is one former Thatcher Cabinet Minister who is not in the Lords, although I think that was originally his choice, rather than because it wasn't offered.
I would find it incredible if Gordon Brown offered a peerage to his three colleagues, and I imagine he will make clear very soon that it won't be happening. His successor as Labour leader, may take a different view, of course.
23 comments:
Really?
Well, they're all Blairites, and I can't imagine Brown's successor (or Brown himself, given his limpet-like abilities) will feel affection to Blairites, given the unions' new power.
Mind you, if Labour are punished in the election (i.e. Tory majority of 50+), then Labour might decide to promote whomever the hell they feel like, since it'll be old news before any election.
He bloody well should not put the in the Lords.
In fact we should get rid of an appointed Lords altogether. It's a cesspit of patronage.
Not only should they be barred from the Lords, but their constituents should have the right to hold them accountable via a recall vote and be rid of them now.
Imagine if one of these jokers was your elected representative.
If Michael Martin can get a peerage, anybody can. They'll be selling them on Ebay next.
Iain asks: "Will Brown Rule Out Peerages For Byers, Hoon & Hewitt?"
You might as well have just written "No" underneath this and be done with it.
This week was published the report into the Damian Green affair. Quite rightly that useless twat Martin was deemed to be at the centre for those responsible for the mess.
However, even though he was the first Speaker for 300 years to be forced to resign. Within 15 seconds of Parliament reconvening (I counted them so that's how I know) Harman had proposed that he be made a Lord. That is the quality our Lords are made from, and citizens wonder why we are in such a rubbish state!
Many Labour nasties will receive life baronies; New Labour has ruined the Lords, after all.
Expect Prescott to get a peerage - is he leaving the Commons? Good riddance to bad rubbish, though pity their lordships.
Kitty Ussher may end up in the Lords as well.
I agree. The Speaker got a peerage so anything goes really! I hate Hoon & Hewitt, but they did try to ditch Brown so we all agree on something.
Anyone for Baroness Smith of Home Economics? Then, of course, you'd have Baronesses Kelly, Jowell, Blears and (ye Gods!), Beckett. And that's just a few of the troughers.
Personally, I can't wait for the days after a Tory win in May: the joy of watching the Labour party implode as it destroys itself in a welter of recriminations and blame. There is only so much joy to be had in this world. Bring it on!!
Butterfill..Ha Ha..
Keep up the standard set by Baroness Udden
@ Frugal: Michael Martin wasn't given a peerage by Brown. The Commons passed an unopposed resolution to petition the Queen directly - this convention is designed to reinforce the Speaker's impartiality. Harman was following the standard practice - why not ask why no MP decided to challenge the motion at the time.
Why do so many people have appropriate surnames?
'Butterfill' gives a perfect picture of smug, greedy excess. Just right for a fat schoolteacher in Dickens.
Though 'Hoon' just has to take the prize. How unfortunate for him. I'm amazed he hasn't changed it. Bet he was teased at school.
I agree with Frugal If Michael Martin can get a peerage, anybody can. They'll be selling them on Ebay next.
Will he strip Paul and Uddin, no chance.
This story is now being spun as a battle between McBroonites and Blairites. Incorrutable and upright versus morally bankrupt and moneygrubbing.
They should stand down now. They would if they had any moral and ethical standards, otherwise we must have a mechanism to force these sort of people out.
I really do dislike these false flag entrapments practised by newspapers and others, and that needs to be regualted to ensure that it is not used deliberately to entrap individuals.
I posted on an earlier article and asked whether any MP from this cess pit of a Parliament should be allowed to enter the HofL. Inm fact given the general move towards an elected second house and the costs quoted to get rid of sitting peers should we really be enobling anyone until the future is resolved?
There is an opportunity for strong leadership. I know that one or two deserving candidates might miss out but believe it would actually go a long way to restoring Public trust. In other words for sitting MPs the gravy train terminates here.
"His successor as Labour leader, may take a different view, of course".
WTF?
He'll rule out peerages for everyone. We're scrapping them remember?
Try and keep up at the back there.
Iain
This one's a bit childish.
Prescott - made a Peer for services to gobblin'.
Issa joke innit?
Tell me the difference between the dumbarsed-three and Prescott.
Unfortunately, when it comes to precedents, the grasping, incompetent and illiterate Michael Martin is in the Lords.
As are a number of known crooks, with no sign yet of their removal.
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