HE WAS literally born to rule. Lord Rupert Redesdale arrived at the House of Lords at the age of 23 after inheriting his seat – along with an estate in Northumberland – from his father.
But the youngest ever life peer was not comfortable with the hereditary system. His title dates back to forebear John Mitford, a Commons Speaker and Lord Chancellor of Ireland, who was given a hereditary peerage in 1801.
At one stage it looked like the title might go into abeyance as Queen Victoria refused to allow it to go to a nephew who was a drinking companion of the Prince of Wales. But the Prince restored the peerage when he became king in 1904.
Lord Redesdale was glad when Tony Blair axed hereditary peers in 1999. He stood for election within his Liberal Democrat party to become one of a group of hereditary peers to stay in the Lords and retained his seat in a vote.
He became a life peer, meaning his peerage will not pass down his line. Lord Redesdale, 43, who lives near Otterburn, Northumberland, was chosen having served in numerous front-bench roles.
A graduate of Newcastle University’s archaeology school, Lord Redesdale has made headlines through his passionate defence of red squirrels. He has also been an election monitor for the UN and is chairman of the Nitrogen Economy Development Partnership.
While happy to stand for a fully elected second chamber, the Liberal Democrat doubts it will even happen – not least because voters are more interested in dealing with the recession.
Lib Dem party leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is spearheading a fresh push for reform and the proposals will be discussed by the House of Lords today and tomorrow.
Under the blueprint, the first elections would be held in four years. Its membership would fall to 300 from just under 800 active members. Some 80% would be elected via the single transferable vote (STV), a form of proportional representation.
The 60 other members would be appointed and sit as crossbenchers, while the number of Church of England bishops would fall from 26 to 12.
The overhaul would be completed over three general elections, with new peers being elected or appointed in thirds over that time.
But the House of Commons would still have the final say with the Lords remaining as a revising chamber, according to the Deputy Prime Minister.
A White Paper has also been published along the draft reform Bill outlining other options, including Mr Clegg’s preference for a fully elected Lords.
“As soon as anybody gets into the House of Lords, they decide it’s fantastic for them and the House cannot be reformed at all,” Lord Redesdale said.
