Are Morgan and Goldsmith just the beginning – Who will be elevated to the Lords next?

Boris Johnson smashed his way to victory less than a week ago. Some have attributed his victory to democracy and a public yearning for respecting the EU referendum and wanting the result implemented. However, Mr Johnson has elevated two unelected Tories to the House of Lords, one of which as means of filling his cabinet. 

The department for Culture media and sport secretary of state Nicky Morgan stood down as an MP and did not seek re-election. However, in order to keep her in her job, Johnson has made her Baroness Morgan and has elevated her to the House of Lords. However, Ms Morgan has been reported as stating a desire to reform the BBC, which could explain her appointment.  In addition to this the previous environment minister Zac Goldsmith who lost his seat for the second time in 3 years in last week’s election is also expected to be given a life peerage. 

It is difficult to interpret this move as a use of the rotten and outdated House of Lords to override the expressed wishes of Goldsmith’s former constituents. The respected academic Lawrence McKay of the University of Manchester took to twitter to quote the Conservative manifesto:”We will continue to support the First Past the Post system of voting, as it allows voters to kick out politicians who don’t deliver, both locally and nationally.” – p. 48, Conservative manifesto, 2019”. 

 It could well be the case that Morgan and Goldsmith are just the beginning, and that Johnson plans to flood the Lords with even more allies. As Spiked online have stated “principle is at stake. People want democracy, not chumocracy. Many across this country dislike the bloated and undemocratic house of Lords. These appointments are not a good look for Mr Johnson’s new ‘people’s government’. A considerable factor in the The Brexit result the returning of sovereignty and democracy to Britain, this is a violation of that.