Who's in... Ermine! 27 aristocrats compete for a spot in the House of Lords in the world's most elitist election
- 27 male candidates with inherited titles will take part in by-election on March 21
- The by-election was called following the death of Lord Lyell on January 11
- Winner will help make British laws for the rest of his life - and claim £300-a-day
- Almost all of the men went to a private school, including 11 who attended Eton
Twenty-seven men are about to fight the world's most elitist election as they compete for a seat in the House of Lords.
Candidates in the hereditary peer by-election include millionaires, landowners and the descendants of former Prime Ministers.
Every candidate is a man with an inherited title and only members of the House of Lords can vote.
Twenty-seven men are about to fight the world's most elitist election as they compete for a seat in the House of Lords (pictured)
Eton educated Edmund Christopher Pery (pictured left on his hippy-themed wedding day with his father, centre, and wife Lydia, right) is a candidate. He is a trained solicitor and the former director of Deutsche Bank
The winner will help make British laws for the rest of his life - and claim a £300 a day allowance.
More than half of the candidates are over 60 and the newest member will take a seat alongside fellow peer Lord Tyler who called the House the 'best day care centre for the elderly in London'.
Those vying for the spot include Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor, 66, the great-grandson of First World War Prime Minister David Lloyd-George, and Viscount Mountgarret, whose family was ennobled in 1550.
The youngest candidate, Lord Mostyn, 32, is one of the richest men in Wales with a country estate worth £48million.
The winner will help make British laws for the rest of his life - and claim a £300 a day allowance
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Almost all of the men went to a private school, including 11 who attended Eton.
Critics have described the set up as a 'ludicrous part of our constitutional set-up'.
Katie Ghose, chief executive of the Electoral Reform Society, told the Mirror: 'Yet again we are witnessing the farce of a hereditary Peer 'by-election' – the most ludicrous part of our constitutional set-up.
'There are just 30 voters per candidate in this so-called election. Lords are literally picking their peers from a tiny pool of aristocrats.'
The by-election was called following the death of Lord Lyell (pictured) in January and the vote will take place on March 21
The by-election was called following the death of Lord Lyell in January and the vote will take place on March 21.
Of the 27 candidates 16 are Conservatives, two are Liberal Democrats and the others are cross-bench or not affiliated with any party.
There are some 800 peers in the House of Lords, 92 are hereditary peers and when one dies any of the 219 existing title holders without a seat can stand in the by-election.
The number of hereditary peers was capped at 92 by Tony Blair's 1999 House Lord's Reform Act.
A BBC documentary showed Labour's Lord Foulkes sitting in the chamber with his eyes closes
Conservative Lord Lawson shows his empty glass to a waitress in the Peers' Dining Room
An attempt by the Liberal Democrats to create a predominantly elected Upper House was defeated in 2011 following a revolt by Conservative MPs.
A BBC fly-on-the-wall documentary, broadcast on Monday, showed some elderly peers enjoying G&Ts, gourmet food and afternoon naps during in the House.
A Lords spokesman said the house was an 'active revising chamber whose Members improve legislation, hold the Government to account and sit on Select Committees.'
THE 27 CANDIDATES IN THE HEREDITARY PEERS' BY-ELECTION
Candidate William Matthew Wand Addison (pictured) is a land owner, farmer and the 4th Viscount Addison
Marquess of Abergavenny, 61, - Conservative
Christopher George Charles Nevill is the Harrow educated 6th Marquess of Abergavenny. The former stockbroker and businessman who now runs his family sprawling estates, which include 3,000 acres of rolling countryside in Kent.
He said: 'I offer my hands-on experience of urban regeneration; rural diversification; insights from two terms as a district councillor; experience with charities.'
Viscount Addison, 71, - Conservative
William Matthew Wand Addison is a land owner, farmer and the 4th Viscount Addison.
He said: 'Having personally farmed dairy and arable most of my life, I am still well-connected and understand the need for support to continue in all matters connected with farming the countryside and those who live and work in rural areas after “Brexit”.'
Earl Alexander of Tunis, 81, - Conservative
Shane William Desmond Alexander is the 2nd Earl Alexander of Tunis who was educated at Harrow. He is the son of WWII hero Field Marshal Alexander.
He said: 'A return to Parliament would assist my initiative to forge a closer relationship between the House of Lords and the Institute of Directors, of which I have been a member since 2000.'
Lord Bethell, 50, - Conservative
James Bethell, the 5th Baron Bethell, is another Harrow alumni. He heads up the Westminster lobbying company - Westbourne Communications and has worked for the US Senate.
He said: 'As the founder of a successful company, I am in the position to hand over the reins and commit myself to supporting the Government in the House of Lords. If elected, I would bring my experience as an entrepreneur in the media industries, and in politics.'
Lord Biddulph, 57, - Conservative
Anthony Nicholas Colin Maitland Biddulph is the 5th Baron Biddulph. His family home is Makerstoun House, a 100 acre estate on the banks of the Tweed in Scotland.
He said: 'It was an honour to sit in the House and I would be happy to serve again.'
Shane William Desmond Alexander is the 2nd Earl Alexander of Tunis who was educated at Harrow. He is pictured with his wife Countess Davinia Alexander
Lord Cadman, 78, - Conservative
John Anthony Cadman is 2nd Baron Cadman and the son of a mining tycoon. He was educated at Harrow.
He said: ' Lord Lyell (Charlie) took his seat aged 21 and spent much of his time in the House loyally serving his country under various prime ministers. An engaging and interesting character, I became acquainted with him as a member of the Defence Study Group. Replacing him will be difficult.'
Lord Colgrain, 65, - Conservative
Eton educated Alastair Colin Leckie Campbell is the 4th Baron Colgrain and a former banker turned farmer.
He said: 'My areas of expertise and particular interest are employment and financial services, following 30 years in the financial executive search sector, and rural affairs, regeneration and diversification, as partner in a family farming and property business.'
Lord Darling, 72, - Crossbencher
Robert Julian Henry Darling, 3rd Baron Darling, is a surveyor and has been a prison visitor for 19 years.
He said his experience includes, 'fund-raiser for social care charity, now Big Lottery funded, working with local group of surgeries and relieving bed blocking in regional hospital.'
Lord Gainford, 92, - No party affiliation declared
The 4th Baron Gainford, George Pease, describes himself as an architect, town planner and inquiry reporter.
He said: 'I would contribute to debates and committees where my expertise and experience may be helpful, but would not otherwise attend casually.'
Eton educated Alastair Colin Leckie Campbell is the 4th Baron Colgrain and a former banker turned farmer
Lord Hampton, 52, - Crossbencher
The 7th Baron Hampton, John Humphrey Arnott Pakington, is a former professional photographer who now teaches at a comprehensive in west London.
He said: 'After 25 years working in design and photography for big agencies and freelance, with a client list of big corporates and charities, I recently retrained as a secondary school teacher and now teach in a state academy in west London. I live in east London and coach junior cricket in Hackney.'
Lord Hankey, 79, Crossbencher
The 3rd Baron Hankey, Donald Robin Alers Hankey, is the founder of APG for Architecture and Planning.
He said he has 'professional experience in east Asia, China, Middle East, north Africa, Russia, Europe and Caribbean.'
Lord Harlech, 32, Liberal Democrat
Eton educated Jasset David Cody Ormsby-Gore is the 7th Baron Harlech and has worked in the creative industries, the arts and technology services.
He said: 'I wish to enter public service in order to stand for equality and progress. To work across parties to bring prosperity for all through long-term vision and practical action. I will also bring to the job youth, passion and commitment.'
Earl of Harrowby, 66, Conservative
Eton educated Dudley Adrian Conroy Ryder, the 8th Earl of Harrowby, divides his time between his family estates, Sandon Hall in Stafford and Burnt Norton, a 17th century manor house in Gloucestershire.
He said: 'I’m a Midlander; I would work to promote the Midlands and its urban regeneration.'
Viscount Hood, 59, - Crossbencher
Henry Lyttelton Alexander Hood is the 8th Viscount Hood and the Queen’s Lord-in-Waiting, meeting dignitaries on Her Majesty’s behalf.
He said: 'Issues of social policy can command attention in the House of Lords. Recent examples include Lord Marks’s Bill to provide rights to cohabitating couples, and Baroness Deech’s Bill to limit financial claims in divorce. While my sympathies are more with the first than the second, they together demonstrate the privilege that it would be to serve in the House of Lords.'
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos is met by the Queen's Lord-in-Waiting Viscount Hood (left)
Lord Kennet, 60, - Liberal Democrat
William Aldus Thoby Young is the grandson of 1930s health minister Hilton Young.
He said: 'If elected, I will work to fully realise benefits which include, improving economic competitiveness through science, technology and jobs and benefiting the environment and human health, addressing climate change, waste and pollution, renewables and energy security, and bio-diversity.'
Earl of Limerick, 54, - Conservative
Eton educated Edmund Christopher Pery is a trained solicitor and the former director of Deutsche Bank. He speaks French, Russian, Arabic and Wolof, a language of Senegal, the Gambia, and Mauritania, and the native language of the Wolof people.
He said he is, 'passionate about contributing lifetime experience in overseas commerce to make Brexit successful.'
Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor, 66, - Liberal Democrat
Eton educated David Richard Owen Lloyd George is the great-grandson of WWI Prime Minister David Lloyd-George.
He said: 'My working life started aged 19 in shipping, finishing in political risk insurance. If elected, I would undertake to be a regular attender and to devote my maximum time and efforts to the Liberal Democrats and to the business of the House.'
Earl of Limerick, Edmund Christopher Pery, said he is, 'passionate about contributing lifetime experience to make Brexit successful'
Lord Macpherson of Drumochter, 38, - Conservative
James Anthony Macpherson is the grandson of Labour MP for Romford and business tycoon Thomas Macpherson.
He said he, 'wants to better harness his wide expertise to help drive national decisions and would be a very hard-working, effective peer'.
Lord Mostyn, 32, Crossbencher
Eton educated Gregory Philip Roger Lloyd Mostyn is one of the richest men in Wales and his estate, Mostyn Hall, is worth an estimated £48million.
He said: 'Being only 32 years old I can bring some much-needed youth to the House. I can also be a spokesman for the under-represented north-west of England and Wales as my base is located in north Wales. I have years of experience in local business as I run an estate that covers the length of north Wales.'
Viscount Mountgarret, 56, - Conservative
Eton educated Piers James Richard Butler, 18th Viscount Mountgarret, owned Stainley House in North Yorkshire, a 4,000 acre estate, which was put up for sale for £3.5million in 2014.
He said: 'Not for lack of trying, however we live in manifestly difficult and troubling times. Voices across the entire age spectrum can only serve to provide this House and the wider public with a broader sense of discussion, debate and wisdom.'
Lord Napier and Ettrick, 54, - Conservative
Francis David Charles Napier is the 15th Lord Napier of Merchistoun and runs a gardening firm just outside Cambridge. He was born deaf and has a cochlear implant, which enables him to hear 95 per cent.
He said: 'I have a clear understanding of the importance of small business to the national economy. I support charities for deaf, disabilities and disadvantaged.'
Viscount of Powerscourt, 54, - Crossbencher
Mervyn Anthony Wingfield succeeded to the title of 11th Viscount Powerscourt in 2015 and is a registered counsellor.
He said his concerns include, 'mental health and family wellbeing, root causes of poverty and social justice.'
Earl of Stockton Alexander Macmillan (pictured right) is the great-grandson of Harold Macmillan, the former Conservative Prime Minister
Lord Somerleyton, 46, - Crossbencher
Eton educated Hugh Francis Savile Crossley lives on the 5,000-acre Somerleyton estate in Norfolk and has 20 years’ experience in hospitality.
He said: 'I think the hereditary peerage is worth preserving and its principle creates a sense of innate commitment to the welfare of the nation.'
Earl of Stockton, 74, - Conservative
Eton educated Alexander Daniel Alan Macmillan is a former journalist who worked for the Glasgow Herald, Daily Telegraph, Sunday Telegraph, BBC and Toronto Star. His great-grandfather was Harold Macmillan, the former Conservative Prime Minister.
He said he is 'bilingual', speaking French and conversational Spanish.
Lord Strathcarron, 68, - Conservative
Ian David Patrick Macpherson founded Strathcarron Sports Cars. He did not supply a candidate statement.
Ian David Patrick Macpherson, Lord Strathcarron (pictured), founded Strathcarron Sports Cars
Lord Swansea, 60, - Conservative
Eton educated Richard Anthony Hussey Vivian is the son of John Hamilton Hussey Vivian, who was the Vice-Chairman of the National Rifle Association. He is a former financial journalist and runs a bookkeeping service for small businesses in Guildford
He said: 'As a Chinese speaker I closely follow the affairs of China and Hong Kong.'
Lord Windlesham, 49, - Conservative
Eton educated James Rupert Hennessy became the 4th Baron of Windlesham in 2010.
He said: 'I am willing and able to commit the time necessary to make an effective contribution. I am conscientious but can be independent-minded when necessary.'
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