Peers attack Boris Johnson's 'ridiculous idea' to move House of Lords to York

Could York be the new home of the House of Lords?
Could York be the new home of the House of Lords? Credit: Lorne Campbell/Guzelian/Lorne Campbell/Guzelian

Boris Johnson’s plan to move the House of Lords to York shows “complete contempt for the constitution”, peers have warned.

The Government is considering permanently relocating the second chamber to the North, with the Prime Minister ordering detailed work on the practicalities of a move.

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean described the relocation as a “completely ridiculous idea that would cost a fortune” and claimed it could only have come from “someone who has no clue” about how Parliament operates.

“I can only assume this is the first fruit of the weirdos that Dominic Cummings said he wanted to recruit to No 10,” the former Scottish Secretary said.

He pointed to the practicalities of governing with ministers based at different ends of the country and the “vital” role Lords play in scrutinising Government bills.

Former Conservative MPs Zac Goldsmith and Nicky Morgan have recently been elevated to the Lords, and continue to serve in their roles as Environment Minister and Culture Secretary.

“It’s ridiculous and it shows complete contempt for our constitution," Lord Forsyth added.

Senior Tories have said the House of Lords could be moved out of London in a bid to "reconnect" with voters
Senior Tories have said the House of Lords could be moved out of London in a bid to "reconnect" with voters Credit: Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA Wire/Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA Wire

Admiral Lord West agreed that it would be “madness” for the Government to try and “split Parliament in two”.

The former First Sea Lord said: “The Lords are a key part of Parliament. It’s not just an add-on where funny people sit around wearing ermine fur.”

Lord West served as Minister of Security under Gordon Brown’s premiership and was “constantly in No 10 or Cobra committees”, leaving little time for “three hour train rides”.

He said: “The thinking seems to be, ‘Nobody likes those bunch of toffs, let’s send them up to York.’”

One senior Conservative MP described it as a “back of a fag packet” idea that had not been given “proper thought”.

They said that while there was a “fair amount of will in Downing Street” to deliver on the idea, there was doubt over “whether the Lords would ever agree to such changes”.

Conservative Party Chairman James Cleverly confirmed that the Government is looking at moving the Lords to York as one of a number of options so "every part of the UK feels properly connected" to politics.

James Cleverly confirmed that the Government is looking at the option of moving the Lords to York
James Cleverly confirmed that the Government is looking at the option of moving the Lords to York Credit:  Geoff Pugh for the Telegraph/ Geoff Pugh for the Telegraph

MPs and peers are already due to move out of the building for around six years in 2025 while the multi-billion pound overhaul takes place.

But the idea being mooted by Downing Street is that peers would permanently end up in a new purpose-built building away from London.

If York was chosen, the city would become a centre of political power for the first time since the English Civil War, when it played host to the Council of the North.

Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat called on the Government to spread "real power" across the country, urging them to deliver “more than symbols”.

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