Peers told they risk ‘constitutional crisis’ after surprise vote to continue blocking employment rights bill – UK politics live
Government lost Lords vote on employment rights bill by 24 votes, just hours after the creation of 25 new Labour peersGood morning. Yesterday Keir Starmer announced the creation of 25 Labour new peers. About an hour or so later, the government lost an important vote on the employment rights bill...
<p>Government lost Lords vote on employment rights bill by 24 votes, just hours after the creation of 25 new Labour peers</p><p>Good morning. Yesterday Keir Starmer announced the creation of 25 Labour new peers. About an hour or so later, the government lost an important vote on the employment rights bill – by 24 votes.</p><p>The defeat was unexpected, because the government because already announced a significant U-turn on the bill, as part a compromise deal negotiated with business and unions intended to ensure the legislation clears the Lords quickly. What is going to happen next is not yet clear.</p><p>Flagship workers’ <em>rights</em> reforms face a further holdup as peers inflicted a defeat over a late change linked to the government concession on unfair dismissal that has been branded “a job destroyer”.</p><p>The latest setback means a continuation of the parliamentary tussle over the <em>employment</em> <em>rights</em> <em>bill</em> known as “ping-pong”, when legislation is batted between the Commons and Lords until agreement is reached.</p><p>Continuing to vote down the employment rights bill – a clear manifesto commitment – is undemocratic. This bill has been debated and scrutinised for months. Tory Peers are actively defying the will of the British public and their own supporters who overwhelmingly support measures in this bill.</p><p>The behaviour of the House of Lords can no longer be seen as constructive scrutiny and increasingly looks like cynical wrecking tactics that risk a constitutional crisis if they continue.</p><p>Further delay is in nobody’s interests and only prolongs uncertainty, the bill must pass before Christmas including lifting the caps on compensation.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2025/dec/11/uk-politics-latest-news-updates-labour-conservatives-house-of-lords">Continue reading...</a>
Read the full article at:
The Guardian World →