Marvin Rees Becomes Lord Rees of Easton in House of Lords

Former Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees has officially taken his seat in the House of Lords, now known as Lord Rees of Easton, after being granted a peerage by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The introduction ceremony included a swearing of allegiance to the King and was attended by notable figures including Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy. Rees, who served as mayor from 2016 until the position was abolished following a referendum in May 2022, had previously campaigned to become the Labour candidate for the new Bristol North East constituency but lost out to Damien Egan. Alongside Rees, former Shadow Culture Secretary Thangam Debbonaire was also elevated to the Lords, becoming Baroness Debbonaire of De Beauvoir Town. The House of Lords, which allows appointed members to vote on and amend laws, remains a controversial institution, and Starmer has previously indicated a desire to abolish it altogether.