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07/01/2013
Lord Strathclyde Resigns As Lords Leader
The Leader of the House of Lords has announced he will retire in order to pursue a career in business.
Lord Strathclyde told Prime Minister David Cameron he would voluntarily retire from the Lords at the age of 52, after 25 years on the front bench for the Conservatives.
He will be replaced by Lord Hill of Oareford, a former aide of John Major.
In a letter to Mr Cameron, Lord Strathclyde said: "When I was invited to join the government by Margaret Thatcher in 1988, I never believed it was a career for life. I didn't expect it would consume me for as long as it has or that I would one day lead the Lords and sit in a cabinet.
"The Lords is an extraordinary and vigorous place, but recently I've been considering a change of direction.
"I started my working life in the private sector and at some stage always hoped to return, I would now like to do so. I do not see a political career as the cap of everything and would like, while there is still time, to take up other threads of my life and other interests."
He added: "I always promised myself that when I did leave I would do so when I could make a smooth handover to a strong successor. Whatever my feelings on the matter, reform of the Lords is effectively over and now is a good time to manage that handover."
The PM said he was "sorry to hear" of Lord Strathclyde’s decision, but commented: "After a quarter of a century on the front bench I entirely understand your desire to pursue other interests.
Lord Strathclyde may face criticism for announcing his retirement on the day the coalition government sought to make headlines with its New Year relaunch, but Mr Cameron had only positive words for Lord Strathclyde.
"To me personally, you have always been a staunch friend and wise counsel," Cameron said. "You will be much missed."
(IT/GK)
Lord Strathclyde told Prime Minister David Cameron he would voluntarily retire from the Lords at the age of 52, after 25 years on the front bench for the Conservatives.
He will be replaced by Lord Hill of Oareford, a former aide of John Major.
In a letter to Mr Cameron, Lord Strathclyde said: "When I was invited to join the government by Margaret Thatcher in 1988, I never believed it was a career for life. I didn't expect it would consume me for as long as it has or that I would one day lead the Lords and sit in a cabinet.
"The Lords is an extraordinary and vigorous place, but recently I've been considering a change of direction.
"I started my working life in the private sector and at some stage always hoped to return, I would now like to do so. I do not see a political career as the cap of everything and would like, while there is still time, to take up other threads of my life and other interests."
He added: "I always promised myself that when I did leave I would do so when I could make a smooth handover to a strong successor. Whatever my feelings on the matter, reform of the Lords is effectively over and now is a good time to manage that handover."
The PM said he was "sorry to hear" of Lord Strathclyde’s decision, but commented: "After a quarter of a century on the front bench I entirely understand your desire to pursue other interests.
Lord Strathclyde may face criticism for announcing his retirement on the day the coalition government sought to make headlines with its New Year relaunch, but Mr Cameron had only positive words for Lord Strathclyde.
"To me personally, you have always been a staunch friend and wise counsel," Cameron said. "You will be much missed."
(IT/GK)
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