‘Marvin Rees could still make it to Westminster – but in the Lords not the Commons’

Marvin Rees prides himself on his honesty and integrity. It’s what has given him a national platform as a respected voice of reason.

That respect, however, does not extend to all corners of Bristol.

We have been told that the Bristol-wide vote to scrap the mayoral position was not a personal referendum on Marvin. But there is no doubt that failing to secure the position of Labour’s parliamentary candidate in Bristol North East is a stinging rebuke of his time at City Hall

Despite endorsements from multiple unions and cabinet members, Rees failed to win the votes of Labour members living in the soon-to-be-created constituency of Bristol North East, with Damien Egan understood to have won a convincing 63 per cent of first preference votes

The mayor of Bristol graciously conceded to Egan, currently the mayor of Lewisham in south east London, saying that he is “looking forward” to campaigning for him “to help win the seat and deliver a Labour Government”.

Rees’ defeat has already raised eyebrows, with the editor of The Voice, Lester Holloway, questioning if someone like Rees is unable to become a member of parliament, what hope there is for Black men looking to get into Westminster?

https://twitter.com/LesterJHolloway/status/1685641374534619136

Rees’ future as a Labour MP now appears to have hit a brick wall. But could he still make it to Westminster via other means?

It had previously seemed that the stars had aligned for Rees. His second mayoral term comes to an end in May 2024, just when it is likely that a general election could be called; with a new constituency being created in Bristol which he was quick to put his name into the hat to contest.

The 51-year-old will now be out of a job when he leaves City Hall.

He has stated that he would only become an MP for a Bristol seat but unless one of the city’s four current Labour MPs unexpectedly stands down and he goes once again for a vacancy in his home city, this now seems unlikely.

As one door closes, however, another door opens, and Rees’ Westminster ambitions are still very much alive; just not in the House of Commons.

It’s not beyond the realms of possibility that Rees could be elevated into the House of Lords by Keir Starmer.

Marvin Jonathan Rees would likely become Lord Rees of Easton in the City and County of Bristol.

Could the Marvin Rees fairytale take him to the House of Lords? – photo: Marvin Rees

Despite a pledge to abolish the upper house in its current form, Starmer is believed to be drawing up plans to appoint dozens of Labour peers to the House of Lords “to stop his agenda for government being frustrated by the upper chamber” according to the Independent.

Dozens of former MPs now sit in the Lords but Rees would also join former elected mayors including Dorothy Thornhill, previously mayor of Watford, now Baroness Thornhill of Watford.

Most members of the Lords are not paid a salary but they may claim a flat rate attendance allowance of £342 for each day they attend the House.

Rees has said that if he were not a politician, he would like to be a journalist – one of his previous careers before he was elected as mayor of Bristol in 2016. A move to the USA, a country which has shaped much of both his public and private life, could also happen after he leaves City Hall.

Whether Rees’ lofty ambitions would be quenched with a role in the Lords is known only to him. But his upwards trajectory looks set to continue despite this temporary stumble.

This is an opinion piece by Martin Booth, the Editor of Bristol24/7

Main photo: Labour Party

Read next:

• Damien Egan beats Marvin Rees to become Labour’s Bristol North East candidate
• Damien Egan: ‘There’s a better way to do politics and it starts with listening’
• Rees shortlisted for world’s best mayor award
• 10 Questions: Marvin Rees – ‘I’m Bristol’s most transparent person’

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