The Guardian reports that a number of senior Liberal Democrat MPs who were defeated at the election have turned down peerages:
Four senior Liberal Democrat politicians defeated in the general election, including former business secretary Vince Cable, have turned down the offer of a peerage from Nick Clegg in the dissolution honours list.
It is understood that David Laws, the former education minister, Simon Hughes, the former justice minister, and former Treasury chief secretary Danny Alexander have also decided to reject a chance to sit in the House of lords.Norman Baker has also let it be known that he is not interested in a peerage.
The report says the Liberal Democrats most likely to accept peerages are Alan Beith and Ming Campbell. Don Foster would also be a likely candidate on length of service.
Elder statesman have their role, but wouldn't it be a good to give peerages to the younger voices we most want to be heard in public debate.
My first candidate would be Maajid Nawaz - no doubt you have your own ideas.
3 comments:
Would love to see Maajid in Parliament but I think the LibDems should boycott the HoL, pending reform.
You've got peers on the brain: "The Guardian reports that a number of senior Liberal Democrat *peers* who were defeated at the election have turned down peerages"
I think that they were ex-MPs when they allegedly declined the offers.
Maajid Nawaz decided to get inside politics from the outside. And for him that is probably the right way to continue -- from the outside via votes. If Maajid chooses to ask for Lib Dem support, I'm on his side. Liberalism is a long term commitment; you can't turn it off on the expedient button.
I nominate Jonathan Calder!
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