Retirements from the Lords

[colinp]

In March 2020 as well as the Earl of Selborne (as reported by Henry W) on 26 March, Lord Steel of Aikwood (non-affiliated) retired on 27 March.

[colinp]

Lord Brookman (Labour) retired on 2 April 2020

[Sven Meyer]

and the Countess of Mar

[Graham]

Lord Selborne and Lady Mar have both triggered by-elections which will take place after 8th September - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/By-elections_to_the_House_of_Lords#Forthcoming_by-elections

[BREMENMURRAY]

How times have changed.The Premier Earldom of Scotland held by a British Telecom employee 

[Henry W]

https://hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2020-06-02/debates/7B044389-8EDF-4523-8BDE-226E3408E5CC/RetirementsOfMembers

My Lords, I should like to notify the House of the retirements, with effect from 26 May, of the noble Lord, Lord Woolmer of Leeds, and, with effect from 2 June, of the noble Baroness, Lady Howe of Idlicote, pursuant to Section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. On behalf of the House, I thank the noble Lord and the noble Baroness for their much-valued service to the House. 

[colinp]

Baroness Byford (Con) also retired on 5 May

[colinp]

Lord Luce (crossbencher) retired on 29 June 2020

[Henry W]

In the past two days the retirements of Lord Morris of Handsworth and Baroness Hanham have been announced.

[sven_me...@web.de]

and soon Lord Williams of Oystermouth

[colinp]

Lord Darling of Roulanish (Lab) retired on 28 July

[colinp]

Lord Williams of Oystermouth and Lord Jones of Birmingham retired on 31 August 2020

[Henry W]

Additional retirements of Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope (2 Sept) and Lord Clarke of Stone-cum-Ebony (14 Sept)

Hansard - 2 September 2020

The Lord Speaker (Lord Fowler)

 My Lords, I should next like to notify the House of the retirement, with effect from 31 August, of the noble and right reverend Lord, Lord Williams of Oystermouth, and the noble Lord, Lord Jones of Birmingham, and, with effect from today, of the noble Lord, Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope, pursuant to Section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. On behalf of the House, I should like to thank all the noble Lords for their much-valued service to the House over the years.

Hansard - 14 September

The Senior Deputy Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith)

My Lords, I should like to notify the House of the retirement, with effect from today, of the noble and learned Lord, Lord Clarke of Stone-cum-Ebony, pursuant to Section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. On behalf of the House, I would like to thank the noble and learned Lord for his much-valued service to the House.

[colinp]

Lord Freeman (Cons) retired today

[Henry W]

From Hansard - 29 October:

The Lord Speaker (Lord Fowler): 

My Lords, I should like to notify the House of the retirement, with effect from today, of my good friend, the noble Lord, Lord Elton, pursuant to Section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. On behalf of the House, I should like to thank the noble Lord for his much-valued service to this House.

Lord Elton is of course 2nd Baron Elton (born 1930), an elected hereditary peer,  and his retirement will cause another by-election amongst the hereditaries to be held once they resume (January 2021 at the earliest). There are now four vacancies.

A slight variation from the Lord Speaker's standard formula in announcing a retirement in describing Lord Elton as a good friend - they were both ministers in the Department of Health & Social Care at the same time during the Thatcher premiership.

[Henry W]

From Hansard of 16 November 2020

The Deputy Speaker (Lord Lexden) (Con)

My Lords, I should like to notify the House of the retirement, with effect from 14 November 2020, of the noble Lord, Lord Ahmed, pursuant to Section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014.

Lord Ahmed has gained some notoriety of late, and a House of Lords report recommending his expulsion was published 16 Nov - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54975932 - presumably on this basis the customary thanks for service were not made by the Deputy Speaker.

[Henry W]

From Hansard of 1 December 2020

The Lord Speaker (Lord Fowler)

My Lords, I should like to notify the House of the retirements, with effect from today, of the noble and gallant Lord, Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank, and of the noble Lord, Lord Haskins, pursuant to Section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. On behalf of the House, I should like to thank both of them for their much-valued service to the House.

Both were Crossbench Life Peers.

According to Wikipedia, Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank was a member of a Scottish Landed family, but no significant genealogy provided on thepeerage.com, nor do I possess volumes that would help. Does anybody have more information?

[S R Eglesfield]

Wikitree has an on-line genealogy at https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Guthrie-2606, which does not include Lord Guthrie, but does show his father, Ronald Dalgleish GUTHRIE (12 VII 1909 -1982), and some of the family's connections. Guthrie of Craigie appeared in the 1972 edition of Burke's Landed Gentry, but I do not have access to that at the moment.

[sarac...@googlemail.com]

The updated Guthrie of Craigie genealogy appears in Burkes's Landed Gentry(The Kingdom of Scotland)-19th Ed.,with a full entry for Gen.Sir Charles Ronald Llewelyn,Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank,just before he was ennobled.

Ronald Dalgleish Guthrie was a younger lineal great-grandson of George DempsterGuthrie,HEICS - 3rd son of James Guthrie,2nd of Craigie,cadet of Guthrie of Hiltoun,cadet of Guthrie of Guthrie -whose wife Barbara was dau. of Capt.Thomas Dunbar of Westfield by Isabella,dau. of John Sinclair,2nd of Scotscalder,descended via the lines of Lybster and Assery,from an illegitimate nephew of George Sinclair,5th Earl of Caithness(b.c.1566-d.1642).

[Henry W]

Thank you for the previous comments about Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank - I realised I did have relevant volumes, and found the family in Burke's Landed Gentry 1952.

From Hansard of 17 December:

The Lord Speaker, Lord Fowler:

My Lords, I should like to notify the House of the retirement, with effect from today, of the noble Baroness, Lady Wilcox, pursuant to Section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. On behalf of the House, I should like to thank very sincerely the noble Baroness for her much-valued service to this House.

She was cr a Life Peer in 1996 as Baroness Wilcox, of Plymouth in the County of Devon

[Henry W]

From Hansard of 5 January 2021:

The Lord Speaker  (Lord Fowler)

My Lords, I should like to notify the House of the retirement, with effect from 1 January, of the noble Lord, Lord Cavendish of Furness, pursuant to Section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. On behalf of the House, I thank the noble Lord for his much-valued service to the House.

[Henry W]

Hansard of 22 February 2021:

The Lord Speaker (Lord Fowler)

[...]

I should like to notify the House of the retirements, with effect from 12 February, of the noble Lord, Lord Wilson of Tillyorn, and, with effect from 19 February, of the noble Baroness, Lady Tonge, pursuant to Section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. On behalf of the House, I should like to thank the noble Lord and noble Baroness for their very much-valued service to this House.

[Henry W]

Hansard of 17 March 2021

The Senior Deputy Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith)

My Lords, I should next like to notify the House of the retirement, with effect from today, of the noble and learned Lord, Lord Walker of Gestingthorpe, pursuant to Section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. On behalf of the House, I should like to thank the noble and learned Lord for his much-valued service to the House.

Lord Walker of Gestingthorpe was a Law Lord appointed, under the Appellate Jurisdiction Act 1876, in 2002. He transferred to the new Supreme Court in 2009, retiring in 2013 upon reaching mandatory retirement age.

[Henry W]

Hansard of 13 April 2021

The Lord Speaker (Lord Fowler)

My Lords, I should like to notify the House of the retirement, with effect from 9 April, of the noble Baroness, Lady Kinnock of Holyhead, whom we know so well, and, with effect from 12 April, of my friend, the noble Lord, Lord Ryder of Wensum, pursuant to Section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. On behalf of the House, I thank the noble Baroness and the noble Lord for their very much-valued service to this House. 

Both life peers created in 2009 and 1997 respectively.

[Henry W]

Hansard of 26 April 2021

The Lord Speaker (Lord Fowler)

My Lords, I should like to notify the House of the retirement, with effect from today, of another good friend, the noble Lord, Lord Denham, pursuant to Section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. On behalf of the House, I thank the noble Lord for his long and much-valued service to the House.

Lord Ashton of Hyde (Con)

My Lords, with the leave of the House, I want briefly to acknowledge what the Lord Speaker has just announced and pay tribute to my noble friend Lord Denham on the notification of his retirement from this House.

Lord Denham became a Member of this House in 1949 and has served with us for over 71 years. On his retirement, he was the longest-serving Member of the House. My noble friend had an admirable career, serving in the Governments of Harold Macmillan, Alec Douglas-Home, Ted Heath, Margaret Thatcher and John Major, and culminating in an impressive 12-year term as Government Chief Whip. He was devoted to this House, knew it backwards and served it well. I know your Lordships will join me in thanking him again for his long and distinguished service to the House and to the country.

Lord Denham is of course 2nd Baron Denham KBE PC (born 1927). He was the longest serving peer in the House, as mentioned by Lord Ashton of Hyde, since the death of Lord Carrington in 2018, and he is succeeded in seniority by 2nd Baron Trefgarne PC (born 1941), who first sat in 1962.  His retirement was somewhat expected as Colin P had mentioned he was in danger of expulsion for inactivity at the end of this session. 

[colinp]

The House of Lords website records that Lord Sainsbury of Turville retired today, 1 July 2021

[sven_me...@web.de]

His cousin seems to haven't got a new leave of absence so maybe he is going to retire soon?

[David Beamish]

One might have expected Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover (now aged 93) to retire, but no - the minutes of proceedings of yesterday (19 July) record that he has been given leave of absence from the House of Lords for the remainder of this session.

[sven_me...@web.de]

He is on leave for such a long time now why isn't he retiring?

[colinp]

This has already been reported but for completeness I mention here that Lord Beecham (Jeremy Hugh Beecham) retired from the Lords on 1 Sept 2021

[Henry W]

Two recent retirements to report:

Hansard of 27 October 2021

The Lord Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith)

My Lords, I notify the House of the retirement, with effect from today, of the noble Lord, Lord Puttnam, pursuant to Section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. On behalf of the House, I thank the noble Lord for his much-valued service to the House.

Hansard of 28 October 2021

The Lord Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith)

My Lords, I should like to notify the House of the retirement with effect from today of the noble Lord, Lord Tyler, pursuant to Section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. On behalf of the House, I thank the noble Lord for his much-valued service to the House.

Lord Puttnam (b 1941) was a Labour life peer (cr 1997).

Lord Tyler (b 1941) was a Liberal Democrat life peer (cr 2005).  He m 1970 Nicola Mary INGRAM (b 1951), scion of the baronets of that name, and of the SMITH LG family, formerly of HERTINGFORDBURY PARK and of DUFFIELD, and thus a descendant of ABEL SMITH (1717-88), the ubiquitous banker, and kinswoman of HM The Queen. Unsurprisingly there are many more connections to families of whom we treat!

[colinp]

The House of Lords website records that Lord Hunt of Chesterton (Labour) retired on 30 October 2021

[sven_me...@web.de]

Lord Archer and Lord Hanningfield thought about retiring at 80 but still haven't yet. Lord Christopher as the oldest at 96 is unlikely to return from leave as well as the reamaining Sainsbury. Baroness Greenfield, Afshar, Fritchie and Campbell of Lougbourough are seldom present for a long time, so they belong to a part of the House that should retire. Lord Sugar hasn't voted for years after leaving Labour. Expenses cheats like Lord Bhatia, Paul and Baroness Uddin still there. Many richdonors were already there before Offord and Cruddas. Everyone of them should take the step to leave the House and retire.

[Henry W]

From Hansard of 8 November 2021:

The Lord Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith)

My Lords, I should like to notify the House of the retirement, with effect from 5 November, of the noble Baroness, Lady Hilton of Eggardon, pursuant to Section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. On behalf of the House, I thank the noble Baroness for her much-valued service to the House.

Baroness Hilton of Eggardon was created a life peer in 1991 and sat as a Labour peer.

[colinp]

From the Minutes of Proceedings of the House of Lords 28.01.2022 : Lord Coe will retire on 31 January and Lord Rotherwick (Conservative hereditary peer) on 1 February 2022

[sven_me...@web.de]

The better thing to staying on leave of absence (Coe) and once again a hereditary peer and so a following by-election

[Henry W]

It is always difficult to know another's intentions, but I would hope that some peers see themselves honour-bound by the spirit of the Burn's report, even if the Prime Minister of the day does not.

A conclusion of that report was a desire to move towards "two out, one in" where peers would retire once they had given all they intended to public life, and allow a more active tranche of new peers come through to prevent stagnation in the House. Lord Coe last spoke in the House in 2019, but has maintained an active voting record since.  Its not easy to judge his overall contribution as a parliamentarian, particularly as the work of committees can be so important, but given the above, I worry he isn't adding much to quality of parliamentary life.  On leave since November 2021, he may have come to the same conclusion.

The more peers who aren't doing much in the House, other than voting and using the excellent restaurant facilities [retired peers may still use these!], should have a similar introspection I feel.  

[sven_me...@web.de]

two out one in is not enough. Many many could leave to have an effective working chamber

[sven_me...@web.de]

There are people on leave of absence who are very unlikely to return

Lord Christopher in his mid nineties the oldest member 

Baroness Campbell of Louborough claimed to do more when she has more free time but I think that's unlikely. 

Lord Browne of Madingley has only voted very few times and not since a long time ago.

Lord Black of Crossharbour a criminal

Lord Hanningfield a convicted criminal as well thought about retiring at 80

Lord Lawson of Blaby at his advanced age

Lord Palumbo of Southwark a rich donour who all should loose their seats like Cruddas for example

Lord Sugar who has not voted for years before his leave

Baroness Vadera who is on leave for a very long time

Lord Archer of Weston super Mare has only voted once in about 20 years and thought about retiring

Baroness Flather, Fritchie and Lord Bamford as well as some others have not voted for years

Many more who should retire in my opinion.

[David Beamish]

Another retirement was in the Minutes of Proceedigs of 27 January (https://lordsbusiness.parliament.uk/ItemOfBusiness?itemOfBusinessId=107541&sectionId=40&businessPaperDate=2022-01-27): Lord Fellowes [former private secretary to HM the Queen, life peerage created 1999] will retire on 10 February.

It is understandable that Colin missed this one: the minute entry did not appear online (except in the downloadable PDF of "House of Lords Business") until today. A list of retirements is on my website at peerages.uk/peeragesd.htm

[Henry W]

From Hansard of 31 March 2022

The Lord Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith)

My Lords, I should like to notify the House of the retirement with effect from today of the noble Lord, Lord Tebbit, pursuant to Section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. On behalf of the House, I should like to thank the noble Lord for his much-valued service to the House.

[Henry W]

From Hansard of 7 April 2022

The Lord Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith)

My Lords, I should like to notify the House of the retirement, with effect from today, of the noble Lord, Lord Lea of Crondall, pursuant to Section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. On behalf of the House, I acknowledge the noble Lord’s contribution to the work of the House.

[Henry W]

All reported elsewhere in various forms, but for completeness:

From Hansard of 27 April 2022

The Lord Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith)

My Lords, I should like to notify the House of the retirement, with effect from today, of the noble Lord, Lord Young of Graffham, pursuant to Section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. On behalf of the House, I should like to thank the noble Lord for his much-valued service to the House.

From Hansard of 28 April 2022

The Lord Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith)

My Lords, I should like to notify the House of the retirements, with effect from today, of the noble Lords, Lord Brabazon of Tara, Lord Moonie and Lord Oxburgh, pursuant to Section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. On behalf of the House, I should like to thank the noble Lords for their much-valued service to the House.

Lords Young of Graffham, Moonie, and Oxburgh were all in danger of expulsion for inactivity.

The retirement of Lord Brabazon of Tara creates a vacancy amongst the Conservative hereditary peers.

[sven_me...@web.de]

Let's see what happens with the rest of the list.

[Henry W]

From Hansard of 30 June 2022

The Lord Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith)

My Lords, I should like to notify the House of the retirement, with effect from today, of the noble Lord, Lord Lang of Monkton, pursuant to Section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. On behalf of the House, I thank the noble Lord for his much-valued service to this House.

Lord LANG OF MONKTON was born 1940 and served as a Conservative MP for Galloway, then Galloway & Upper Nithsdale from 1979 to 1997; Secretary of State for Scotland (90-95) and Trade & Industry (95-97).  After his defeat in the general election of 1997 he was made a Life Peer.

[colinp]

From Hansard 11 July 2022 -  My Lords, I should like to notify the House of the retirement, with effect from today, of the noble Lord, Lord Harrison, pursuant to Section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. On behalf of the House, I thank the noble Lord for his much-valued service to the House.

Lord Harrison b 1947 was a former Labour MEP cr a LP 1999

[colinp]

Lord Mackay of Clashfern (James Peter Hymers Mackay, present Lord Clerk Register and former Conservative Lord Chancellor) retired on 22 July 2022 (b 1927)

Lord Radice (Giles Heneage Radice, former Labour MP) retired on 1 August 2022 (b 1936)

[colinp]

Lord Lawson of Blaby retired on 31 December 2022 - I believe the announcement was made in the Lords quite some time ago

[sven_me...@web.de]

I wonder why someone did that with such a long time at his age.

[Henry W]

There is a silent minutes entry for Lord Lawson's service of his intention to retire on 16 May 2022.  I expect an announcement in the House on Monday (its first sitting day this year), which should appear in Hansard.   The length of notice is quite extraordinary, and I believe his participation in the House has been minimal.

[Henry W]

I should say - his participation has been minimal recently.

[Henry W]

Hansard of 9 January 2023

The Deputy Speaker (Baroness Fookes)
My Lords, I should like to notify the House of the retirement, with effect from Saturday 31 December 2022, of the noble Lord, Lord Lawson of Blaby, pursuant to Section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. On behalf of the House, I thank the noble Lord for his much-valued service to the House.

Announcement on 9 January as expected.  He was a Conservative life peer, created in 1992, and previously sat in the Commons 1974 to 1992, served in high office including as Chancellor of the Exchequer. 

Hansard of 19 January 2023

The Lord Speaker(Lord McFall of Alcluith)
My Lords, I should like to notify the House of the retirement, with effect from today, of the noble Lord, Lord Soley, pursuant to Section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. On behalf of the House, I thank the noble Lord for his much-valued service to the House.

He was a Labour life peer, having been created a peer in 2005. Previously sat in the Commons 1979 to 2005.

[sven_me...@web.de]

Baroness Chalker is next

[Henry W]

Hansard of 19 June 2023

The Lord Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith)

My Lords, I should like to notify the House of the retirement, with effect from today, of the noble and learned Lord, Lord Brown of Eaton-under-Heywood, pursuant to Section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. On behalf of the House, I thank him for his much-valued service to the House.

[Henry W]

Hansard of 25 July 2023

The Senior Deputy Speaker (Lord Gardiner of Kimble)

My Lords, I should like to notify the House of the retirements, with effect from today, of the noble Lords, Lord Davies of Stamford, Lord Hoyle and Lord Watson of Richmond, pursuant to Section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. On behalf of the House, I should like to thank all three noble Lords for their much-valued service to the House.

All life peers: 2 Labour, 1 Lib Dem.

[colinp]

From the House of Lords website "Find a member":

Lord Selkirk of Douglas (Con) (former Earl of Selkirk) and Lord Hylton (XB) (elected hereditary) retired on 27 July 2023.

[colinp]

From the House of Lords website "Find a member":

Lord Stevenson of Coddenham (XB) retired on 1 October 2023.  He last voted on 30 April 2018 and last spoke on 4 Feb 2013

[Henry W]

Hansard of 13 December 2023

The Lord Speaker   (Lord McFall of Alcluith)

I should like to notify the House of the retirement, with effect from yesterday, of the noble Lord, Lord Rodgers of Quarry Bank, pursuant to Section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. On behalf of the House, I thank the noble Lord for his much-valued service to the House.

Life peer, formerly Labour Secretary of State for Transport (1976 - 79) before becoming one of the "Gang of Four" who formed the Social Democratic Party in 1981, and then transferring with most members in 1988 to the Liberal Democrats.  He was made a Life Peer in 1992, and then was Leader of that party in the Lords 1997 - 2001.  He was born 1928, so aged 95 and one of the oldest members of the House of Lords.

[Henry W]

From Hansard of 29 February 2024

The Lord Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith)

My Lords, I should like to notify the House of the retirement, with effect from today, of the noble Lord, Lord Goodlad, pursuant to Section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. On behalf of the House, I should like to thank the noble Lord for his much-valued service to the House.

From Hansard of 28 February 2024

The Lord Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith)

My Lords, I should like to notify the House of the retirement, with effect from today, of the noble Lord, Lord Plant of Highfield, pursuant to Section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. On behalf of the House, I thank the noble Lord for his much-valued service to the House.

Lord GOODLAD was a Conservative peer (cr 2005). He m 1968 Cecilia Barbara HURST, scion of the CRAWFORD and BALCARRES earls (not in remainder) - see Debrett's 2000 print (or earlier) editions.

Lord PLANT OF HIGHFIELD was a Labour peer (cr 1992).

[sven_me...@web.de]

Bamford soon following who last voted in 2020.

[colinp]

from the HoL Minutes of Proceedings 1 Mar 2024

Retirement The Deputy Speaker (Lord Haskel) informed the House of the retirement with effect from 1 March of Lord Bamford under section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014

[Henry W]

Lord BAMFORD was a Conservative life peer, cr 2013.

[sven_me...@web.de]

Still  many left who should have resigned already.

Lord Archer of Weston-Super-Mare: Convicted criminal with rare attendance, last voted 2017 which was the first time in many years, thought about retiring at 80 but didn't do so

Lord Hanningfield: Convicted criminal, thought about retiring at 80 but like Archer didn't do so,  last voted 2015 and on leave of absence since 2022

Lord Black of Crossharbour: Convicted criminal, last voted 2003, officially but not really an active member, has been on leave of absence for many years

Baroness Campbell of Loughborough: Very rare attendance, on leave of absence since 2022, last voted in 2018

Lord Carter of Barnes: Last voted in 2009

Lord Christopher: Took leave of absence presumbly to avoid exclusion and after some time again, at unlikely to return to active service

Baroness Fritchie: Last voted 2016, on leave of absence since 2023

Lord Malloch-Brown: on leave of absence since 2022, last voted in 2019

Lord Owen: Last voted in 2018

Earl of Rosslyn: Last voted in 2007

Baroness Vadera: on leave of absence for a long time 

[Henry W]

Hansard of 20 May 2024

The Lord Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith)

My Lords, I should like to notify the House of the retirement, with effect from today, of the noble Earl, Lord Sandwich, pursuant to Section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. On behalf of the House, I thank the noble Earl for his much-valued service to the House.

The 11th Earl of SANDWICH (born 1943) was a Crossbench hereditary peer.  A by-election will be needed in due course.  He gave a valedictory speech on Friday.