Former Ulster Unionist Leader Tom Elliott to Become Life PeerFormer Ulster Unionist Leader Tom Elliott to Become Life Peer 1 minute ago Former Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader Tom Elliott is set to be elevated to the House of Lords as a life peer in the prime minister’s dissolution honors list. A UUP spokesperson indicated that the party has yet to decide whether Elliott will retain his role as MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone. Elliott’s appointment is among 19 new peerages announced by the government, a list released shortly before the close of polls in the general election on Thursday. Other individuals included in the list include former UK Prime Minister Theresa May, Sir Graham Brady (Chairman of the 1922 Committee), Labour MP Harriet Harman, and Minette Batters (former President of the National Farmers’ Union of England and Wales). Elliott expressed his gratitude and humility for the nomination, acknowledging it as a recognition of the people of his constituency and Northern Ireland. UUP leader Doug Beattie praised Elliott as an excellent addition to the House of Lords. About Tom Elliott: * Re-elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2022; previously served from 2003 to 2015. * Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP from 2015 to 2017. * UUP leader from 2010 to 2012. * Currently Deputy Chief Whip, party spokesman for Agriculture and Environment, and chairs the Stormont Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs. * Served in the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) from 1982 to 1992 and its successor, the Royal Irish Regiment, from 1992 to 1999. Life Peerage: * The House of Lords is independent from the House of Commons, where laws are debated and voted upon. * Members of the Lords, known as peers, scrutinize government work and recommend changes to proposed legislation. * Peers are not elected but appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister and serve for life. * Life peers generally have backgrounds in politics, science, or the arts. * Most peers serve for life, although some choose to retire.
Image caption, Tom Elliott was first elected as an MLA in Fermanagh and South Tyrone in 2003
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Former Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leaderTom Elliott, is to be made a life peer in the prime minister’s dissolution honours list.
A party spokesperson said a decision has not been made on whether Mr Elliott will remain as MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone.
His was one of 19 new peerages announced by the government.
The full list was published shortly before polls closed in the general election on Thursday.
Other appointees include former UK Prime Minister Theresa May, Chairman of the 1922 Committee Sir Graham Brady, Labour MP Harriet Harman, and former President of the National Farmers’ Union of England and Wales Minette Batters.
Mr Elliott said he feels “extremely humbled and privileged” to be nominated.
“I feel this is recognition to the people of Fermanagh & South Tyrone and Northern Ireland,” he said.
UUP leader Doug Beattie said Mr Elliott will make an “excellent addition” to the House of Lords.
Who is Tom Elliott?
Mr Elliott was re-elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2022, having previously served between 2003 and 2015.
He was MP for the Fermanagh and South Tyrone constituency between 2015-2017, and UUP party leader from 2010-2012.
Mr Elliott is currently Deputy Chief Whip, the party spokesman for Agriculture and Environment and chairs the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee at Stormont.
He was a soldier in the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) from 1982-1992 and its successor, the Royal Irish Regiment, from 1992-1999.
What is a life peer?
The House of Lords is independent from the House of Commons – where Members of Parliament debate and vote on new laws.
Members of the Lords, known as “peers”, scrutinise the work of government and recommend changes to proposed legislation.
Unlike MPs, however, peers are not elected.
The majority are life peers, meaning they areappointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister to serve for their life.
While many peers have worked in politics – including some former MPs – others are experts in areas such as science or the arts.
Most peers stay in the lords for life – although some choose to retire.
