Moving House of Lords to York a ‘completely ridiculous idea’
BORIS JOHNSON’S plan to move the House of Lords to York shows “complete contempt for the constitution”, peers have warned.
The Government is considering permanently relocating the second chamber to the North, with the Prime Minister ordering detailed work on the practicalities of the move. Lord Forsyth of Drumlean described the relocation as a “completely ridiculous idea that would cost a fortune”.
“I can only assume this is the first fruit of the weirdos that Dominic Cummings said he wanted to recruit to No 10,” the former Scottish secretary said. He pointed to the practicalities of governing with ministers based at different ends of the country
‘I can only assume this is the first fruit of Dominic Cummings’ weirdos’
and the “vital” role lords play in scrutinising government bills. “It’s ridiculous and it shows complete contempt for our constitution,” Lord Forsyth added.
Admiral Lord West agreed that it would be “madness” for the Government to try to “split Parliament in two”.
The former First Sea Lord said: “The Lords are a key part of Parliament. It’s not just an add-on where funny people sit around wearing ermine fur.” James Cleverly, the Conservative Party chairman, yesterday confirmed the Government was looking at moving the Lords to York as one of a number of options so “every part of the UK feels properly connected” to politics. MPS and peers are already due to move out of the Palace of Westminster in 2025 while an overhaul takes place.
The Government is thinking of relocating the House of Lords to York in a bid to “connect” better with the North. The intention is good and there is no strict constitutional argument against moving; South Africa has three capitals, dividing its legislature, administration and judiciary. But is a York Lords necessary, what are the costs and is it practical? People want modern government to be close to them, for sure; but they also want it to be efficient.
Why York? It’s a beautiful city, but others will demand to know why they were overlooked. “And why,” York might ask, “do we only get the House of Lords and not the Commons?” One answer might be the strain on York’s infrastructure if the whole of Parliament moves there, but the Lords alone would still be a high burden. Also, peers and MPS are supposed to collaborate, so it does not seem sensible to split them up. Then there is the ceremonial side of things: will the Queen’s Speech still be delivered in the House of Lords and, if so, will Black Rod lead 650 MPS up to York on the 10.30am from London King’s Cross?
To repeat, the aspiration is a fine one: Brexit exposed the country’s regional divides and the Government wants to show that it takes the nation outside London seriously. But what many northern towns desperately need is not a gang of peers hanging around their town centre but economic policies that generate jobs and create opportunities. There were times in the past when cities such as Liverpool or Glasgow were serious rivals to London – and, yes, they had strong local governments, but their power and influence were primarily due to business.
Moreover, the Tories must not lose sight of another key reason why Leave won the referendum: people are sick and tired of excess government. There is some irony here. Dominic Cummings cut his teeth during the 2004 referendum on establishing a north-east assembly. Mr Cummings opposed it, and the opposition case was that it amounted to jobs for the boys – not better government, but a plan to generate more politicians.
The House of Lords move would not do that, but it would be expensive and the Government will have to persuade taxpayers that it is not pure gimmickry. The Government needs to do something to bring the country back together, but voters will demand more evidence that this is the right way.