Public Trust in National Politics

Lord Kennedy of Southwark Excerpts

Thursday 29th January 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Shah (Lab)]

My Lords—

[Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms and Chief Whip (Lord Kennedy of Southwark) (Lab Co-op)]

My Lords, we will have the Conservative Benches next, please.

[Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)]

My Lords, talking about truth and the noble Lord, Lord Wallace, looking for proposals, can I propose through the Minister that the Liberal Democrats’ use of fake local newspapers and misinformation to slur political opponents is something she might want to consider?

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Pack (LD)]

My Lords—

[Lord Kennedy of Southwark (Lab Co-op)]

My Lords, let us have the Lib Dem Benches.

[Lord Pack (LD)]

My Lords, is not a key element of trust in politics that elections are run fairly and independently? Therefore, I hope that the Minister might commit to restoring the full independence of the Electoral Commission and repealing the power for a Government of any political persuasion to set the policy and strategic direction for the commission. Is not an independent regulator a far more trustworthy regulator?