Gender-balanced Parliament and Male Primogeniture

Debate between Lord True and Earl of Shrewsbury

Tuesday 20th April 2021 Lords Chamber

[Lord True (Con)]

My Lords, it is not for me to comment on legislation in the forthcoming Session, but I would advise the noble Lord not to be a betting man.

[The Earl of Shrewsbury (Con)]

My Lords, my noble friend will be totally aware that I am a product of male primogeniture, and he will realise, no doubt, that I have an interest in the whole subject. What plans, if any, do Her Majesty’s Government have to amend male primogeniture in the hereditary peerage and baronetage?

[Lord True (Con)]

My Lords, a review is not currently under way. As I have explained, this is a complex issue and careful consideration will be needed.

House of Lords: Number of Members

Debate between Lord True and Earl of Shrewsbury

Wednesday 16th September 2020 Lords Chamber

[Lord True (Con)]

My Lords, I cannot follow the noble Baroness on many of the things that she has said, other than I hope that one day we might get back to not being a virtual House—that I do agree with. I repeat that there are difficulties in relation to this House: it is unelected, Members sit for life and the House cannot be dissolved. That raises issues for reflection on a cap, as the previous Prime Minister implied.

[The Earl of Shrewsbury (Con)]

My Lords, as an excepted hereditary Peer, I am obviously fair game. However, does my noble friend not agree that one way to reduce the size of this House is to ask the Liberal Democrat Benches to reduce their number to one which is proportionate to their share of the national vote?

[Lord True (Con)]

My noble friend is spot on on that one, and I hear assent in many parts of the House—perhaps not all. That used to be that party’s policy, and perhaps it would be good if it returned to it.