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Douglas Hogg leads race for seat in Lords Douglas Hogg leads race for seat in Lords
(2 months later)
Douglas Hogg, the former Conservative cabinet minister who played a notable part in the MPs' expenses scandal after it was alleged that he had claimed money for the clearing of the moat at his country house in Lincolnshire, has emerged as a frontrunner to win a hereditary place in the House of Lords.Douglas Hogg, the former Conservative cabinet minister who played a notable part in the MPs' expenses scandal after it was alleged that he had claimed money for the clearing of the moat at his country house in Lincolnshire, has emerged as a frontrunner to win a hereditary place in the House of Lords.
Insiders suggest a two-horse race is taking place between Hogg, also known as Viscount Hailsham, and Lord Borwick, a businessman, for Tuesday's byelection to fill one of the few places reserved for hereditary peers in the upper house.Insiders suggest a two-horse race is taking place between Hogg, also known as Viscount Hailsham, and Lord Borwick, a businessman, for Tuesday's byelection to fill one of the few places reserved for hereditary peers in the upper house.
The position becomes vacant only after the death of an incumbent, in this case that of Lord Reay, a Conservative, in May. The position is normally filled by a hereditary peer from the same party as that of the deceased, a process known as the Carter convention. However, this is not always obeyed.The position becomes vacant only after the death of an incumbent, in this case that of Lord Reay, a Conservative, in May. The position is normally filled by a hereditary peer from the same party as that of the deceased, a process known as the Carter convention. However, this is not always obeyed.
In an email explaining the procedures to his fellow Liberal Democrat peers, the party's chief whip in the Lords, Lord Newby, explains: "There is nothing to stop anybody standing in these byelections and indeed two Liberal Democrats are doing so."In an email explaining the procedures to his fellow Liberal Democrat peers, the party's chief whip in the Lords, Lord Newby, explains: "There is nothing to stop anybody standing in these byelections and indeed two Liberal Democrats are doing so."
But Hogg and Borwick are said to be leading a pack of more than 20 hereditary peers – all men – vying to fill the vacant position. Both of them have circulated appeals to peers asking for their votes on Tuesday.But Hogg and Borwick are said to be leading a pack of more than 20 hereditary peers – all men – vying to fill the vacant position. Both of them have circulated appeals to peers asking for their votes on Tuesday.
In a letter asking peers for their support, Borwick, an industrialist, explains that "I was the man behind the iconic London black cab" and lists a number of charities that he supports.In a letter asking peers for their support, Borwick, an industrialist, explains that "I was the man behind the iconic London black cab" and lists a number of charities that he supports.
Hogg tells peers that he hopes his legal experience will be of use but stresses that "work in the Lords would be my priority". He explains that "the Lords is essential to the proper functioning of our democracy".Hogg tells peers that he hopes his legal experience will be of use but stresses that "work in the Lords would be my priority". He explains that "the Lords is essential to the proper functioning of our democracy".
A return to parliament would be a coup for Hogg, who did not seek re-election at the 2010 general election following the furore caused by his expenses claims.A return to parliament would be a coup for Hogg, who did not seek re-election at the 2010 general election following the furore caused by his expenses claims.
He maintained the claims about the moat were untrue although he did agree to return £2,200 in expenses on the orders of the Tory leadership.He maintained the claims about the moat were untrue although he did agree to return £2,200 in expenses on the orders of the Tory leadership.
The prime minister put him forward for a life peerage in the 2011 New Year honours list but this was unsuccessful. Earlier this year he stood unsuccessfully in the byelection to fill the hereditary seat made vacant by the death of Earl Ferrers.The prime minister put him forward for a life peerage in the 2011 New Year honours list but this was unsuccessful. Earlier this year he stood unsuccessfully in the byelection to fill the hereditary seat made vacant by the death of Earl Ferrers.
Critics within the Lords say that a byelection for a hereditary position will strike some members of the public as baffling, especially at a time when the upper house is swamped with political appointments.Critics within the Lords say that a byelection for a hereditary position will strike some members of the public as baffling, especially at a time when the upper house is swamped with political appointments.
"This is a farcical farrago of an election," said the Lib Dem peer Lord Oakeshott. "We have 23 men on a birth-controlled shortlist who are competing to sit in our overstuffed Lords, which has 830 members and counting, vote on our laws and collect £300 a day in expenses.""This is a farcical farrago of an election," said the Lib Dem peer Lord Oakeshott. "We have 23 men on a birth-controlled shortlist who are competing to sit in our overstuffed Lords, which has 830 members and counting, vote on our laws and collect £300 a day in expenses."
Oakeshott said the byelection was in danger of damaging the integrity of parliament. He said: "How can we keep a straight face arguing for social mobility and gender equality when we allow this disgrace to democracy?"Oakeshott said the byelection was in danger of damaging the integrity of parliament. He said: "How can we keep a straight face arguing for social mobility and gender equality when we allow this disgrace to democracy?"
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