Menu
07/01/2013
Lord Strathclyde Resigns As Lords Leader
The Leader of the House of Lords has announced he will retire in order to pursue a career in business.
Lord Strathclyde told Prime Minister David Cameron he would voluntarily retire from the Lords at the age of 52, after 25 years on the front bench for the Conservatives.
He will be replaced by Lord Hill of Oareford, a former aide of John Major.
In a letter to Mr Cameron, Lord Strathclyde said: "When I was invited to join the government by Margaret Thatcher in 1988, I never believed it was a career for life. I didn't expect it would consume me for as long as it has or that I would one day lead the Lords and sit in a cabinet.
"The Lords is an extraordinary and vigorous place, but recently I've been considering a change of direction.
"I started my working life in the private sector and at some stage always hoped to return, I would now like to do so. I do not see a political career as the cap of everything and would like, while there is still time, to take up other threads of my life and other interests."
He added: "I always promised myself that when I did leave I would do so when I could make a smooth handover to a strong successor. Whatever my feelings on the matter, reform of the Lords is effectively over and now is a good time to manage that handover."
The PM said he was "sorry to hear" of Lord Strathclyde’s decision, but commented: "After a quarter of a century on the front bench I entirely understand your desire to pursue other interests.
Lord Strathclyde may face criticism for announcing his retirement on the day the coalition government sought to make headlines with its New Year relaunch, but Mr Cameron had only positive words for Lord Strathclyde.
"To me personally, you have always been a staunch friend and wise counsel," Cameron said. "You will be much missed."
(IT/GK)
Lord Strathclyde told Prime Minister David Cameron he would voluntarily retire from the Lords at the age of 52, after 25 years on the front bench for the Conservatives.
He will be replaced by Lord Hill of Oareford, a former aide of John Major.
In a letter to Mr Cameron, Lord Strathclyde said: "When I was invited to join the government by Margaret Thatcher in 1988, I never believed it was a career for life. I didn't expect it would consume me for as long as it has or that I would one day lead the Lords and sit in a cabinet.
"The Lords is an extraordinary and vigorous place, but recently I've been considering a change of direction.
"I started my working life in the private sector and at some stage always hoped to return, I would now like to do so. I do not see a political career as the cap of everything and would like, while there is still time, to take up other threads of my life and other interests."
He added: "I always promised myself that when I did leave I would do so when I could make a smooth handover to a strong successor. Whatever my feelings on the matter, reform of the Lords is effectively over and now is a good time to manage that handover."
The PM said he was "sorry to hear" of Lord Strathclyde’s decision, but commented: "After a quarter of a century on the front bench I entirely understand your desire to pursue other interests.
Lord Strathclyde may face criticism for announcing his retirement on the day the coalition government sought to make headlines with its New Year relaunch, but Mr Cameron had only positive words for Lord Strathclyde.
"To me personally, you have always been a staunch friend and wise counsel," Cameron said. "You will be much missed."
(IT/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 November 2005
Terror bill faces Lords
The government’s anti-terror legislation is set to face another tough battle in the House of Lords. The Conservative leader in the Lords, Lord Strathclyde, said that peers would examine the legislation on a “line-by-line” basis, while Liberal Democrat leader Lord McNally said that the Bill would receive a “thorough going over” in the Upper House.
Terror bill faces Lords
The government’s anti-terror legislation is set to face another tough battle in the House of Lords. The Conservative leader in the Lords, Lord Strathclyde, said that peers would examine the legislation on a “line-by-line” basis, while Liberal Democrat leader Lord McNally said that the Bill would receive a “thorough going over” in the Upper House.
21 October 2005
Britain celebrates Trafalgar bicentenary
Britain is marking the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar with a series of events across the country. More than 6,000 events are planned to take place throughout the UK over the weekend, to mark the Royal Navy victory over the combined Spanish and France fleets on October 21, 1805.
Britain celebrates Trafalgar bicentenary
Britain is marking the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar with a series of events across the country. More than 6,000 events are planned to take place throughout the UK over the weekend, to mark the Royal Navy victory over the combined Spanish and France fleets on October 21, 1805.
19 May 2004
Details of factory blast inquiry published
Details on the nature of the inquiry into the devastating explosion at a Glasgow plastics factory last week have been published today. The blast at the Stockline Plastics factory in Grovepark Street, Maryhill, on May 11 destroyed the four-storey building – killing nine and injuring 40 others.
Details of factory blast inquiry published
Details on the nature of the inquiry into the devastating explosion at a Glasgow plastics factory last week have been published today. The blast at the Stockline Plastics factory in Grovepark Street, Maryhill, on May 11 destroyed the four-storey building – killing nine and injuring 40 others.
05 December 2012
Editors Meet To Discuss Press Watchdog
Newspaper editors have been meeting in an effort to agree proposals for a new press watchdog independent of publishers and politicians. Wednesday’s meeting follows editors meeting the prime minister on Monday to discuss the Leveson report.
Editors Meet To Discuss Press Watchdog
Newspaper editors have been meeting in an effort to agree proposals for a new press watchdog independent of publishers and politicians. Wednesday’s meeting follows editors meeting the prime minister on Monday to discuss the Leveson report.
02 November 2009
Hung Parliament 'Very Likely': Heseltine
A hung parliament at the next general election is "very likely", a senior Tory has said. Lord Heseltine, a former deputy prime minister, said David Cameron's Conservatives would need the largest electoral swing, "with two exceptions, since the war" to gain a majority in the Commons.
Hung Parliament 'Very Likely': Heseltine
A hung parliament at the next general election is "very likely", a senior Tory has said. Lord Heseltine, a former deputy prime minister, said David Cameron's Conservatives would need the largest electoral swing, "with two exceptions, since the war" to gain a majority in the Commons.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Apart from a little patchy drizzle it will be a dry evening and night with variable amounts of cloud. A few mist and fog patches forming. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
