One said the atmosphere in the Lords is now “very divided and quite heated,” and the prospect of “converting” some peers “would take a lot of heat out of the future of the hereditaries’ bill, not to mention the rest of the passage of legislation.”
Conservative peers argue that some of their hereditaries, including Shadow Deputy Leader in the Lords Frederick Curzon and former Lords Leader Thomas Galbraith, are well-liked and allowing their return would boost support for the bill.
While the government firmly denies any such talks are taking place, the same Tory peer maintained it was “inconceivable” that such talks would not have involved either whips or Smith’s office, either directly or through back channels. However, they stressed any talks would be “light touch,” at an early stage and informal.
One senior Labour figure, granted anonymity like others in this piece to speak freely, said the government had previously suggested the Conservatives should use a set of six peerages created in December last year to ennoble some hereditary members, but they declined to do so.
A second Labour figure in the Lords said some Conservatives are now “very, very keen” on conversion. “There’s definitely been the idea that the Conservatives could use their opportunities” to put hereditaries in some life peerage slots that were coming up for grabs anyway, they added.
Bumpy ride
After sailing through the House of Commons last year, the bill is facing a bumpier journey through the Lords.