King’s Speech

Lord Bach Excerpts

Monday 18th May 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Bach (Lab)]

My Lords, I am pleased to speak in this debate, and I will talk briefly about two topics: one is related to the Home Office, and the other—if I have time—is related to the Ministry of Justice.

The first is the proposed police reforms, which is always a controversial topic when raised, by any Government. Speaking as the only Member of either House to have served as an elected police and crime commissioner, and, given their coming abolition in 2028, probably the only one ever—perhaps I may even be a quiz question in times to come—I have to say that the time for police reform has come. Forty-three separate police forces in England and Wales is frankly too many. Regional policing is important and has been around for a long time, dealing with serious crime, but some rationalisation is clearly necessary and with the reorganisation of local government, this is probably the right time to act.

But—and it is a “but”—there is a great amount of local admiration and pride resting with the achievements, service and traditions of each of these individual police forces. Leicestershire, where I come from, is no exception. Therefore, when reform comes—and it will—it is crucial that it not be implemented in too heavy-handed a manner. It must not tread on local traditions and local pride. That is why the noble Lord, Lord Hogan-Howe, and his committee, and the Government, have a really tricky job in getting that balance right. I hope this House will help them.

Part of me regrets that abolition of police and crime commissioners, but frankly, I am not surprised. I loved my five years doing the job and was privileged to do it, but what matters now is the future. How will the new policing and crime boards be constituted and how are they to function? Much depends on getting that right as well.

My second subject is the proposals relating to immigration and settlement. There are, I believe, still decisions for the Government as to how the legislation is going to work. I do not think final decisions have been taken; it may be that my noble friend can put me right. It is my view that one proposal should be dropped straightaway, if possible, and here I share the views of the noble Lords, Lord Teverson and Lord German, expressed earlier. I would not put it quite as they did, because I am a loyal government Back-Bencher, but their point is well made, as far as I am concerned. The plan is to change the rules so that migrants who are already in the country, have lived here, brought up families, worked hard and behaved well and were told that after five years they would be entitled to indefinite leave to remain, or settlement, will have to wait 10 years before that event occurs. That change, if it is carried out—and I very much hope that it will not be—seems grossly unfair to those individuals and may be unlawful. In any event, it is wrong in principle.