Harriet Harman Eyes Peerage After Four Decades in Commons: A Labour Stalwart’s Journey from MP to Potential Lord

After over four decades in the House of Commons, long-serving Labour politician Harriet Harman is looking forward to potentially receiving a peerage. Throughout her tenure, particularly during the New Labour era, Ms. Harman served in several key positions such as Secretary of State for Social Security, Solicitor General, and Minister for Justice, as well as Minister for Women and Equality. From 2007 to 2015, she also held the position of deputy leader of the Labour Party and temporarily stepped in as leader twice.

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Friday, June 7, 2024, 12:

After over four decades in the House of Commons, seasoned Labour politician Harriet Harman has expressed to Sky News her desire to be granted a peerage.

Ms. Harman has declared her intention to retire from her position during the upcoming election.

During their appearance on the Electoral Dysfunction podcast hosted by Beth Rigby and Ruth Davidson, the conversation lightened up with some jests about Ms. Harman's potential move to the upper chamber.

"She responded hopefully."

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Ms. Davidson, herself a member of the Lords, expressed that Ms. Harman joining the upper chamber would be a significant asset.

However, Ms. Harman emphasized the importance of not getting ahead of ourselves.

She declined to speculate on her potential title, noting that a Lord of Peckham already existed, which is where her parliamentary constituency is located.

It was similar to "picking out curtains for Downing Street before securing the election victory."

"She mentioned that she must adopt a humble, understated attitude while awaiting the opportunity, should it arise – referred to as the dissolution honours."

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Ms. Harman initially won her seat during the 1982 by-election in Peckham.

Throughout the tenure of the New Labour government, she served in various capacities such as Secretary of State for Social Security, Solicitor General, Minister of Justice, and Minister for Women and Equality.

From 2007 to 2015, she held the position of vice leader of the party, stepping in temporarily as the leader on two occasions while they searched for a new official leader.

She temporarily headed the Labour Party in 2015 following Ed Miliband's resignation and prior to Jeremy Corbyn being chosen as his permanent successor.

Harman: 'Consider her as a sister'

In a conversation with Beth and Ms. Davidson, Ms. Harman disclosed that the former prime minister, Theresa May, who will also be leaving the Commons following the announcement of an election, has really become a close ally.

Ms. Harman stated, "She used to never be around."

Ms. Harman mentioned that during her efforts to implement all-women shortlists within the Labour Party, Mrs. May was frequently deployed by the Conservative Party to counter the initiative.

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Ms. Harmin noted that the upcoming prime minister would criticize her views as harmful social engineering, arguing instead that everything should be based on merit.

"She consistently held the opposing view," she remarked.

"However, it's fair to acknowledge that she truly transformed.

"Her contributions to tackling domestic violence and human trafficking have been truly significant."

"She's well-versed in the ways men have oppressed her, and she's certainly not holding back anymore."

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Contact Beth, Ruth, and Harriet by emailing them at electoraldysfunction@sky.uk, tweet to @BethRigby on X, or send a voice note via WhatsApp to 07934 200 444.

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