Peerage for LGA chair in dissolution honours

27 Aug 15

Local Government Association chair Gary Porter is to join the House of Lords after being given a life peerage in the dissolution honours list for the last parliament.

Porter, who is also the leader of South Holland District Council, will be the first chair of the LGA to sit in the Lords while holding the post since Margaret Eaton, who was chair from 2008 to 2011 and ennobled in 2010.

Porter said he was proud to receive the recognition.

“But while it may be me that is receiving this honour it’s really a testament to the hard work of colleagues in South Holland District Council, the LGA and those across local government who day in and day out dedicate their working lives to making our communities better places to live,” he added.

“From protecting vulnerable children and adults, to keeping our bins emptied and streets clean, local government has a lot to be proud of. I will strive to be a strong voice and keen advocate for local government in the House of Lords.”

A total of 45 peers have been created. Of the 26 Conservatives, eight are former ministers, including former health secretary Andrew Lansley, ex-foreign secretary William Hague and university minister in the coalition government, David Willets.

Of the 11 Liberal Democrat peers, four held ministerial office in the coalition government. They include Andrew Stunell and Don Foster, who both served at the Department for Communities and Local Government. Former ministers Lynne Featherstone and Lorely Burt, former party leader Sir Menzies Campbell and current directly elected mayor of Watford Dorothy Thornhill.

Eight Labour peers are also named, including former chancellor Alistair Darling and four other former cabinet ministers – David Blunkett, Peter Hain, Tessa Jowell and Paul Murphy.

A series of other honours have been awarded to mark the end of the 2010-2015 parliament.

Former chief secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander has been knighted, as has ex-business secretary Vince Cable.

Margaret Hodge, the chair of the Public Accounts Committee in the last parliament, has been made a dame.

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