SIR Keir Starmer wants to pack the House of Lords with 200 more Labour peers – despite previously pledging to abolish the Chamber, party insiders have said.
During his leadership campaign in 2022, Sir Keir vowed to get rid of the Lords to “restore trust in politics”.
But now he is plotting to massively beef up his ranks so he gets a majority and can ram his legislation through both Houses of Parliament.
He is already pushing through plans to get rid of hereditary peers – who are overwhelmingly Tory.
A Labour insider said: “Downing Street wants lots more peers who actually turn up, do the work and will get legislation through.
“They are looking for 200 peers.”
The Lords already has a staggering 805 members – making it the biggest parliamentary Chamber in the world apart from Communist China.
Just 186 of them are Labour. The Tories have 273.
Most of the rest are crossbench or non affiliated peers – who do not have a party loyalty.
If Sir Keir stuffs it with another 200 appointees then Britain would have an eye-popping 1,000 peers.
Another party insider said: “We definitely want a lot more peers.”
A No10 spokeswoman said she does “not recognise” the number.
The Labour manifesto promised to remove the right of hereditary peers to sit and vote in the Lords and force all peers to retire at 80.
PERCHED at the very edge of a north Devonshire cliff, looking out over the moody Atlantic sea, Watersmeet Hotel is nothing if not dramatic.
From the balcony of my bedroom I can watch the sun set over the water’s horizon, punctured by the craggy silhouette of Lundy Island – it’s undeniably the perfect setting for a romantic break.
The hotel is located in the peaceful seaside town of Woolacombe, with the rugged North Devon coast right on its doorstep.
It’s not just my deluxe room that offers an epic outlook. Whether you’re in a classic, a family or a suite, it’s well worth opting for a sea view of Watersmeet’s very own little cove, Combesgate Beach.
There are steps down to the shore from the hotel but check the time as the beach vanishes according to the changing tide.
When we weren’t cosied up in our robes on the balcony watching the rolling waves, we were taking advantage of the excellent rambling trails at our fingertips.
The 20-minute stroll along craggy paths and grassy heathlands to Morte Point was challenging thanks to steep tracks but very achievable and worth it for the great views.
The peninsula’s name literally means “death point”, as ships and boats used to come a cropper on the rocks hidden beneath the foaming Atlantic.
In 1852, five ships were wrecked across the winter, but this might have been down to infamous thief Elizabeth Berry.
Folklore says that she used to tie lanterns to the tails of horses to tempt boats in.
When they became stranded she would drown the sailors by holding them under water with a pitchfork, before stealing their belongings.
There was no sign of such activity on our ramble, luckily.
Over some heather and broom-covered hills, we soon found ourselves in the village of Mortehoe.
It’s home to an eerie-looking church near the cliffs where thieves were hung as a warning to other would-be crooks.
Luckily, the locals are much friendlier these days, particularly those back at Watersmeet, where we tucked into a well-earned supper.
The hotel was named the Best Waterside Hotel for UK and Ireland 2024 by Conde Nast Johansens and that’s in part down to the cracking food.
Head chef John Cairns joined back in April this year and has transformed the menu into a fine-dining experience.
Starters include a creamy mushroom risotto laced with tarragon oil, and a chicken liver parfait served with hunks of brioche bread.
Hearty mains include a perfectly cooked venison loin and confit pork belly with smoky mash.
If you are feeling fancy, wash each dish down with a wine pairing or a cocktail.
With tables placed next to huge windows overlooking the ocean and the sun twinkling a ruby red as it sets, you would be hard pushed to find a better dinner spot.
ROOMS at Watersmeet Hotel & Restaurant are from £190 per night (sea-view rooms from £270 per night).
Dinner at the Rocks restaurant from £40 per head.
See watersmeethotel.co.uk or call 01271 870 333.
FOR most people, getting dressed up in a fancy outfit and heels to be awarded a damehood by the future King of England would be the honour of a lifetime.
And New Zealand’s former prime minister Jacinda Ardern did just that this week, smiling broadly and even sharing a giggle with Prince William at Windsor Castle as he made her a dame, pinning the gleaming gong on to her red sash.
The one-time leader said she was “incredibly honoured and humbled” and described attending the royal celebration with her family as “a really special day”.
But forget her blue silky frock and new medal.
All I could see was a display of sickening hypocrisy from Ardern, because she is actually a passionate republican who has made it perfectly clear that she wants to do away with the monarchy’s role in New Zealand altogether.
Last year when she was offered the award, she said she was conflicted about accepting it.
It may have traditionally been offered to former prime ministers for decades but she could easily have tactfully dodged it.
Instead, hypocritical eco-conscious Ardern jetted in to receive one of our greatest honours, saying: “It will be home that I will be thinking of,” before swiftly heading back there.
Good.
Many politicians in her part of the world are so anti-royal they want to close The Firm down.
And King Charles and Queen Camilla are now feeling the heat on their tour in neighbouring Oz.
The powerful leaders of all six Australian states declined invitations to meet them at a reception in Canberra tomorrow, citing “other commitments” ranging from election campaigns to cabinet meetings.
Before the King landed in Sydney, Chris Minns, the premier of New South Wales, said: “I’m a republican.
“But I’m going to treat him as an honoured guest in New South Wales, which he genuinely is.
“I hope he has a great time here and I’ll be on my best behaviour.”
Republicans have even been selling T-shirts labelling the royal visit a “farewell tour”.
Monarchists say this snub is insulting — especially to a man who has paused his cancer treatment to be there.
But actually avoiding meeting Charles is less insulting than being two-faced.
Which is exactly what Ardern has been.
She has never shied away from her feelings.
As prime minister she said that her country would become a republic within her lifetime.
So seeing this award being given to her from one of the very royals she wants to oust is galling.
She may be friends with William through his Earthshot Prize but on this occasion he was doing his main job and she was getting one of the UK’s highest honours.
It is an honour that she should never have been offered.
Because Ardern loves spouting republican rhetoric with one face while beaming at a royal gong with the other.
WHAT a snooty lot the residents of Chalcot Crescent in London’s Primrose Hill must be.
They are kicking off because one of the homes in their street is being transformed into a Paddington Bear-themed Airbnb – because it was used as a backdrop for the movies – and turned into a prize-winning pad.
Three Paddington fan contest winners will get to stay there. Airbnb is spending two weeks renovating it but has made a £20,000 donation to the local community association.
Residents call it an “invasion”, and say that Paddington is a “tragedy to us” while TikTokers make them feel as though they’re “living in a zoo”. Oh do stop it.
Imagine if they were fans of Freddy Krueger or Chucky.
Paddington was said to find the good in people and make friends wherever he goes.
Maybe they should take a leaf out of his book.
WHENEVER there is a death that isn’t by the most natural of causes, there is often a blame game, questions and picking over how the person lived their life – and how they died. That is natural.
And this is what is happening right now with Liam Payne.
But one of the ugliest things that has come from the One Direction star’s passing is the abuse directed towards his ex Cheryl Tweedy.
A quick flick on the internet shows people bashing her for getting together with him when he was 22, because she was ten years older.
As if she had committed some crime.
She didn’t. There are claims that she trapped him into having a baby, although it is clear that he adored that little boy, Bear, who is now seven and has lost his daddy at such a vulnerable age.
All that boy needs to know is that his mummy loved his daddy when he was born, and he always continued to love him.
The trolls would be wise to listen to the words of Liam’s close friend and hairdresser Luke Benson.
He urged people to “be kind” when talking about what may have led to the singer’s death and said Liam was “so kind”.
He added: “Remember he was a son, dad and friend to many.”
Words so true. RIP, Liam.
WHAT Tory MP Sir Christopher Chope said about Kemi Badenoch this week is disgraceful.
He said he is backing Robert Jenrick to be the new Tory leader because – and wait for it – Kemi has young kids.
Chope said: “You can’t spend all your time with your family at the same time as being Leader of the Opposition.
“Much as I like Kemi, I think she’s preoccupied with her own children, quite understandably.
“But I think Robert’s children are a bit older, and I think that it’s important that whoever leads the Opposition has got an immense amount of time and energy.”
Wow. Welcome back to the 1950s.
I would imagine Sir Christopher is the kind of father who called it “babysitting” when he looked after his.
HEIDI KLUM has been slammed for posing with her daughter Leni, both in skimpy underwear.
One critic slammed: “Which normal mum would pose together with her daughter in lingerie?”
But Heidi isn’t your average mum. She is a supermodel who has her own lingerie range and Leni, 20, is a model too.
Plus, the undies they are wearing are twice the size of many bikinis.
Another Instagram follower commented: “Am I the only one thinking this is a bit weird?”
What is weird is people having a go at two models – a loving mother and her daughter – enjoying a photoshoot and looking amazing in their undies.
Plus they’re presumably getting paid a fortune for it.
Stinks of jealousy.
MIKE TINDALL says he didn’t have to try very hard to fit into the Royal Family, saying: “They were always nice to me, and I was always nice to them. Simple really.”
Imagine if Meghan had tried that.
GOOD on Edward White who took on the police – and won.
Edward runs an animal rescue centre, and he took in a chicken that he spotted wandering on the road and put a picture of the hen online.
Instead of the owners he was hoping to trace, he found the police knocking on his door accusing him of stealing the bird.
(Meanwhile local robbers, shoplifters and burglars were having a right old chuckle).
Cops kept him for four hours, and when they refused to apologise
Edward sued for wrongful arrest. He has now been awarded £10,000.
He said: “It was a joke of an arrest. I was expecting Jeremy Beadle to step out at any point.”
Cumbria Police have still not done the decent thing and apologised to him. What a bunch of chickens.
HE is on a mission to help our pets . . . and is here to answer YOUR questions.
Sean, who is the head vet at tailored pet food firm tails.com, has helped with owners’ queries for ten years.
He says: “If your pet is acting funny or is under the weather, or you want to know about nutrition or exercise, just ask. I can help keep pets happy and healthy.”
Q) I AM thinking of getting some fish for my ten-year-old son Toby to get him interested in wildlife.
What size do you think is a good starter tank and what fish do you recommend?
Mark Castle, Birmingham
A) Buy as big as you can afford, with an appropriate size filter.
Your local aquatics store can advise, and it’s worth finding one dedicated to fish only as they will be able to give you time and expertise.
I always say that you are not keeping fish, you are keeping water.
Water quality is key, and it’s a fine balance between the amount of water, the number of fish and the capacity of the filtration.
Food in means poop out, and if there is too much food there will be too much of the end product polluting the water and causing issues.
A small freshwater tropical aquarium will cost a fair initial outlay, with weekly maintenance needed.
So it’s not a small commitment, but will provide hours of fascination and wonder. I’m still mesmerised by mine.
Q) MY chihuahua Sally hates me cleaning her teeth.
She just won’t have it and runs away. It’s such a struggle.
I have tried all kinds of different flavoured toothpaste, but her breath is a bit stinky.
Are those chews that are designed to clean teeth the real deal? And can I just use them instead of brushing?
Dominic McGrath, Glasgow
A) Firstly, well done for trying.
This is something many pet owners never get around to and, without cleaning, it’s inevitable your dog will need dental work sooner or later.
Some dogs tolerate brushing very well, others hate it and never come around.
The trick is to start slow and for short periods, gradually building up the time you ask them to tolerate it.
It’s also important to say some breeds are more prone to dental disease, mainly our toy breeds, chihuahuas and Yorkshire terriers in particular.
Taking Sally to the vet for an annual check-up is important.
And it’s likely, even with brushing, that she will need a proper dental cleaning under anaesthetic every few years.
Q) AS a pup, my eight-year-old German shepherd had a good hip score.
But for the last six months, Bear’s back legs have become weak.
He is not in any pain and still runs around full of enthusiasm, but he’s a farm dog who has never been in a car and I don’t want to stress him out by taking him to a vet.
Is this just an age thing that is typical of the breed?
Is there anything I can do to help this matter?
Sally Hansard, Gainsborough, Lincs
A) I can’t really help you here. Not taking him to the vet for a potential issue that could have lifelong complications isn’t really in Bear’s best interests.
Any stress involved will be outweighed by the knowledge and advice gained by finding out what is actually wrong with him and how best to manage it going forward.
Q) I WANT to have a wildlife pond in my garden, but is it right you shouldn’t put koi or goldfish in it?
Ideally, I’d like both. What do you think?
Bruce Taylor, Cardiff
A) You definitely need to choose one or the other.
Goldfish and koi are not compatible with wildlife.
They will eat most creatures in the pond that provide important food for other native wildlife.
RESCUE cat Marley has been crowned the UK’s most loving moggy for comforting trafficked women.
He beat thousands to the Cat of the Year title at the Cats Protection awards, where he met TV presenter and writer Dawn O’Porter.
The seven-year-old soothes guests at the London safe house, giving out cuddles and posing during art therapy sessions.
Karen Anstiss, 59, head of Caritas Bakhita House, currently home to 11 women from 11 countries, said: “Marley is a wonderful example of the power of love.
“Often, him placing a paw on our guests’ legs is the first kindness they’ve experienced in years.
“Before he went into rescue, he’d had a hard time, so he recognises our guests’ trauma.”
WOULD you love a calmer and more relaxed life with your dog?
Win one year of Pup Talk The Pack online dog training membership worth £360.
It includes easy training videos and support from Niki French, author of best-selling book STOP! Walking Your Dog.
To enter, send an email marked PUPTALK to sundaypets@the-sun.co.uk by Nov 3.
See puptalk.co.uk.
T&Cs apply.
DOG owners should carry out personality tests on their pets so they can mix with like-minded mutts.
Pet psychology expert Heather Stevens says your best friend can find their own BFF if you follow her tips.
The trainer and author of Beyond The Breed: The New Way To Know And Understand Your Dog believes that pinpointing a canine’s character makes for a happy pet and owner.
Heather, who also runs doggy day care, began studying canine characteristics to ensure her clients got along smoothly.
She says: “Identifying the character of your dog helps with training and understanding how they see the world.
“Owners feel more empowered when they know a little more about what’s really going on with their dogs.”
Heather, 68, from Richmond, North Yorks, adds: “It explains why two dogs from the same litter can be so different and why they may be best friends with one black labrador, but terrified of another that looks exactly the same.
“I wrote the book to help people develop a deeper emotional understanding of their dogs so they can really grasp what’s happening when it comes to their behaviour.”
Learn more about Heather’s work and training tips, and buy her book, at beyondthebreed.co.uk.