We will grind you down': how rogue peers became Labour's toughest opponents

"Even with an enormous majority in the Commons, Labour has seemed to struggle to pass much of its programme. But by far the hardest slog has been in the Lords. Labour may yet be on course for a record number of defeats for any governing party, although the parliamentary session has been longer than normal. Already Labour has faced 111 defeats, with at least four more months to go."

"The usual channels are not operating, another Labour peer said. The conventions do not apply. It's essentially a particular group of former Tory MPs who act like they are still in the Commons but actually have more power to cause disruption, because they can intervene, they can try to adjourn, they can push anything to a vote, they basically don't give a fuck about how the Lords normally operates."

Two Tory peers advocated a deliberate strategy to undermine the government across all legislation, slow debate, and push the Lords leader to seek concessions. One Tory peer told new Labour Lords appointees, “We are going to grind you down.” Labour has struggled to pass its programme despite a Commons majority, with the Lords producing at least 111 defeats so far and possibly heading toward a record. Virtually every bill has been slowed, key manifesto pledges stalled, and amendments de-grouped into many small items to prolong debate. A core group of former Tory MPs repeatedly intervenes, using procedures to obstruct and force votes.

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