Reform UK has hinted at the possibility of a cabinet of all the talents, one comprised not solely of MPs. There is logic to this. Do we always need a cabinet minister whose time is divided with looking to fix constituents’ potholes rather than knowing their brief?
Of course, constituency work does bring an MP closer to the people, and MPs need incentives for their loyalty. Writing from Singapore, the cabinet here is full of parliamentarians and the country runs like clockwork! Still, expertise has its place. That is why expanding the Reform presence in the Lords is a must right now.
If Reform has a cabinet with more than just MPs there is good reason to have peers in there as well. After all, if someone is qualified for a cabinet post they have probably earned a seat in the Upper House anyway!
This would also guarantee parliamentary scrutiny (either from the Commons or Lords) while, in fact, not being too radical a departure from today.
Most cabinets have a mix of MPs and peers. Heck, even David (sorry, Lord) Cameron become Foreign Secretary in the outgoing Tory government.
More Reform MPs would also help guarantee Nigel Farage’s party could get its legislation through parliament. Given the Lords’ makeup today, one wonders whether any Reform bills would ever be passed.
Hence, more Reform peers kills two birds with one stone: 1) it offers a bigger pool of talent for government, and 2) it helps ensure Reform laws get passed.
This is now a matter of urgency for the party. While Farage could start appointing peers on Day 1, it would help if there some peers from his party already there now.
They would learn the ropes of the House of Lords in preparation for government. It could also afford new peers time to learn their new brief in preparation for cabinet.
From a democratic standpoint this is also vital given Reform’s position in the polls. How can a party averaging 30% have no members in the upper chamber?
Regardless of what senior Reform figures have previously said about Lords reform, now is surely the time to get some Reform peers in parliament.
These individuals can help build out a future Reform government and, again, if an individual is qualified to lead a government department presumably they have enough about them to be offered a peerage.