Tory Minister Responds to Criticism Over Appointment of Tory Donors to House of Lords
Affiliation with Liz Truss and Vote Leave Campaign
A Tory minister has defended the appointment of “Tory donors” to the House of Lords amidst criticism on the day when two allies of Liz Truss, the former Prime Minister, took their oaths. One of the appointees, Jon Moynihan, who contributed £50,000 to Ms. Truss’ leadership campaign, was granted a peerage in her resignation honours list. This move raised questions about Rishi Sunak’s decision not to block his predecessor’s selections following her short tenure of 49 days at No10. Another notable addition to the Lords was Matthew Elliott, the ex-leader of the Vote Leave campaign for Brexit.
Response to Criticism
During the proceedings, Labour backbench peer Lord George Foulkes expressed his disapproval by inquiring about measures to curb the influx of Tory donors into the House of Lords. In a lighthearted moment, Tory minister Lord Robert Douglas-Miller responded with a smile, questioning the necessity of such action. This exchange came as figures from the Electoral Commission revealed Lord Moynihan’s substantial donations to the Tory Party, including significant sums towards Ms. Truss’s leadership campaign and contributions to Vote Leave.
Controversial Honours List
The revelation of Ms. Truss’s resignation honours list in December sparked significant backlash towards the Government. Criticism intensified as prominent figures like Labour frontbencher Jonathan Ashworth condemned the list as a reflection of Rishi Sunak’s incompetence and disregard for the struggles of working-class citizens impacted by the Tories’ economic decisions. Similarly, Deputy Lib Dem Leader Daisy Cooper criticized the move as a blatant attempt to reward allies of Liz Truss despite the economic challenges faced by the general population.
Defending the Honours
In defense of the appointments, Ms. Truss emphasized the value of honoring individuals dedicated to conservative principles such as freedom, limited government, and a strong British identity. Despite the backlash, she expressed her satisfaction in recognizing individuals who champion causes aligned with the Tory ideology.
FAQs
What sparked criticism regarding appointments to the House of Lords?
Criticism arose over the influx of Tory donors receiving peerages on the same day when Liz Truss allies were appointed, raising questions about transparency and political influence.
Who is Jon Moynihan, and why is his appointment controversial?
Jon Moynihan, a donor to Ms. Truss’ leadership campaign, was granted a peerage, attracting scrutiny due to his substantial financial contributions to the Tory Party and Vote Leave campaign.
How did Tory minister Lord Robert Douglas-Miller respond to questions about the appointments?
Lord Douglas-Miller responded with a hint of humor, questioning the need to limit the presence of Tory donors in the House of Lords, sparking laughter in the chamber.
What condemnation did the release of Ms. Truss’s resignation honours list face?
The list faced strong criticism from opposition figures like Jonathan Ashworth and Daisy Cooper, who accused Rishi Sunak of rewarding Truss’s associates despite their role in economic challenges faced by ordinary citizens.
How did Liz Truss defend the appointments?
Ms. Truss defended the appointments by highlighting the recipients’ commitment to conservative values like freedom, limited government, and a strong British identity, emphasizing their contributions to the party’s ideals.
