Private bill aims to tackle Lords issue of 'cronyism'

A PROPOSED new law to reform the House of Lords appointments process would tackle cronyism and "enhance public trust", Parliament has heard.

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Conservative peer Lord Norton of Louth argued that the reputation of the upper chamber is damaged by how peers are chosen and said the rules need to be tightened to emphasise merit.

His private member's bill would put the House of Lords Appointments Commission (Holac) on a statutory footing, giving them the power to block nominations.

Holac would assess not only the person's propriety, as it does currently, but also whether nominees have "conspicuous merit" and a willingness and capacity to contribute and the Prime Minister would be bound by their advice, which they are not at present.