House of Lords: New Peers

Lords Ahmad, Loomba and Hussain take their seats in the Lords

Three new Peers took their seats in the House of Lords this Month.

Lord Tariq Ahman for the Conservatives and two Liberal Democrats -  Lord Rajinder Paul Loomba and Lord Qurban Hussain.

Tariq Ahmad was raised to the Peerage as the Lord (Baron) Ahmad of Wimbledon; and was formally introduced into the Lords by Conservative Party Chairman, Rt Hon. Baroness Sayeeda Warsi and former leader of the Conservative Party, Rt Hon. Lord Michael Howard.

Speaking about his Peerage Lord Ahmad said “I am truly honoured and humbled by my appointment to the Lords and look forward to playing a full part in the affairs of our country at both a national and international level. There are many challenges that we face today and I believe my experience in business affairs, as well as an understanding of the communities that make up Britain today will allow me to contribute to debates across many areas.”

A business graduate, Lord Ahmad was Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party (2008-2010) and currently serves as Marketing and Strategy Director at a leading commodity and financial futures and options firm, Sucden Financial, where he has been a member of executive team since 2004.

He has been a member of the Conservative Party since 1994 and has served in various roles at both a local and national level for the Party, as well as in an elected capacity as a Councillor in Wimbledon since 2002; and held Cabinet level position in the London Borough of Merton and as Deputy Chairman of the London Councils influential Transport and Environment Committee.

Liberal Democrat Lord Hussain who is a Luton Borough Councillor was elected as a Labour Councillor in 1996 and served up until 1999. He was re-elected as a Lib Dem Councillor in 2003 and was deputy leader of Luton Borough Council from 2005 to 2007.

He said of his appointment: “It is obviously a great honour to be chosen to represent my home town in the House of Lords. As a local Councillor I have always tried to put something back into Luton and have been able to assist a great many local people with all kinds of issues.

“I now see this appointment as an opportunity to represent Luton in a major national forum. An opportunity to promote Luton’s cause and to work for resources to advance Luton’s regeneration and to enhance education, employment, training and life chances for young people in our town.”

Lord Hussain stood as a parliamentary candidate in Luton South in 2005 and again in 2009.

Lord Rajinder Paul Loomba CBE is a clothing tycoon and campaigner for widows' rights, he was raised to the Peerage as Baron Loomba, of Moor Park in the County of Hertfordshire and was introduced and supported by Lord McNally and Lord Dholakia.

The new appointments take the tally of minority ethnic individuals in the House of Lords to over forty.