Retirement and Participation Committee Report

Baroness Seccombe Excerpts

Wednesday 16th September 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Seccombe (Con)]

My Lords, I want to add my thanks to the noble Baroness, Lady Taylor of Bolton, for the many months that she and her committee wrestled with this matter, but I cannot accept the report.

I feel strongly that some Peers do not consider all the relevant issues before accepting a peerage. The first thing I did was to find out my husband’s views. He had had a stroke, and I knew his life would change if I was away most of the week. He was, of course, delighted for me and we worked together on how we would make it work. I know others who reorganise their arrangements before entering the House, planning their future, knowing that they would be here for life or when they wished to retire. Now they face an about-turn which could have many ramifications, while those who enter early in their 30s and 40s will have the privilege of spending tens of years of service in the House.

I hate retrospective legislation, and I think this proposal would be a mistake. With the world in such a topsy-turvy state, it would be wise to go into the next election with all the stability we could muster.