The Lords needs more peers like Charlotte Owen

It is clear who is the unnamed target of Labour’s rule change over political nominations to the House of Lords. When two bright but relatively unknown political advisers aged 29 and 30, Charlotte Owen and Ross Kempsell, were elevated to the Lords last year after being nominated by Boris Johnson, there were loud complaints. Critics said that party loyalty had counted for everything and experience (or rather lack of it) for very little. This week, Labour amended the rules so that parties will have to explain why a person is fit to be nominated to the Lords. The citation will not affect the process of appointment but will be published for all to see if the candidate is successful. 

The Commons announcement from Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds was brief, but Labour’s thinking is clear: let’s put a stop to the likes of Kempsell and Owen from being parachuted into parliament’s upper chamber.