Appointments Commission urged to give no resignation gongs to Trus

21 Oct 2022

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

The Liberal Democrats have said Liz Truss should be barred from handing out knighthoods, peerages and other honours when she steps down as Prime Minister.

The party’s Chief Whip, Wendy Chamberlain, is writing to the chairs of the House of Lords Appointments Commission and the Parliamentary and Political Service Committee urging them to reject what would be the second Conservative resignation honours list in a matter of months.

Every new peer appointed by the outgoing Prime Minister could receive up to £65,246 a year each in allowances and expenses, tax free, from the public purse. The party have labelled the prospect a “disgraceful waste of taxpayers’ money”.

The call comes after weeks of turmoil following the disastrous mini budget, culminating in Liz Truss’s resignation.

Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Wendy Chamberlain MP said:

“Handing out more expensive gongs to Conservative allies would be a truly remarkable way to reward the shortest tenure as Prime Minister in British political history.

“Truss and her Conservative colleagues have trashed our economy and left millions in misery. We are faced with the horrifying prospect that those who are selected for honours will be the very people who helped plunge the country into chaos and crisis.

“Allowing Truss to dish out positions of influence, and huge handouts to boot, would be a disgraceful waste of taxpayer money and show a stunning lack of humility.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

See full letters below

To: Lord Sherbourne of Didsbury CBE, Chair of Parliamentary and Political Service Committee

Dear Lord Sherbourne,

I am writing to you as chair of the Parliamentary and Political Service Committee in light of the Prime Minister’s resignation.

As you know, it is traditional upon a Prime Minister’s departure from office for them to issue a ‘Resignation Honours’ list. This list signifies individuals who are to be rewarded with an honour from the King which, in turn, would be considered by your committee.

However, because of the unprecedented circumstances surrounding Liz Truss’s tenure and resignation, I am writing to urge you and the committee to reject any Resignation Honours list put forward by her.

Liz Truss will be the shortest serving Prime Minister in British political history. It is possible that by the time she formally resigns, she will not have held office for more than 50 days.

I do not believe that it would be appropriate for Liz Truss to be permitted to issue a resignation honours list, given the extremely short length of her tenure.

I urge you to make it clear that you and your fellow committee members would not sign off on any such honours, which would be the second list in a matter of months.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Wendy Chamberlain

Liberal Democrat Chief Whip

Member of Parliament for North East Fife

To: Lord Bew, Chair of the House of Lords Appointments Commission

Dear Lord Bew,

I am writing to you as chair of the House of Lords Appointments Commission in light of the Prime Minister’s resignation.