Alan Howarth To Get Peerage

The following article appears in today's Argus (apology for the lack of a link but there's nothing on their website as yet).

Ex-MP is hoping to be Lord Newport

Former MP Alan Howarth hopes to be known as Lord Newport when he takes his place in the House of Lords after being made a baron.

He was named in a list of new peers announced yesterday and told the Argus he was delighted to accept the honour.

"I had a communication from the prime minister asking me if I was prepared to accept and I said yes.

"I do feel very privileged. This is a recommendation that the PM has made to the Queen and it is very generous of him to do so, not least because I have been a thorn in his side on one or two occasions over the years over issues like the Euro and mega casinos.

"On the other hand I have supported him on other policies that were quite contentious, like Iraq and tuition fees.

"What will be so nice about this is that it gives me a continuing platform in politics to work with Jess Morden and Paul Flynn in the interests of my former constituents, the interests of the city and the interests of Wales."

Mr Howarth has to consult the "great king of arms" about his new title but he is hoping it will be Lord Hwarth of Newport. He has left Newport and will have a base in London when he attends the Lords but his home will now be in Norwich with his partner Patricia Hollis.