Badenoch appoints right-wing Tory peer as low-pay king

Baroness Phillipa Stroud has a track record of pay reform, a Whitehall source has said. Photo: Daniel Jones

Kemi Badenoch appointed a Tory peer as the new low-paid czar amid concerns that Labor was planning to tap a trade union baron for the role.

The Business Secretary chose Baroness Philippa Stroud, a leading right-wing figure Tory party to chair the Low Pay Commission, which helps set the minimum wage.

The decision will thwart any attempt by Sir Keir Starmer to elect a left-wing figure to «break up» companies to appease his supporters. It will also ensure that there is a pro-pay Conservative thinker for at least the first two years of a possible Labor government.

Baroness Stroud will serve for three years as chair of the commission that advises the government on the living wage and minimum wage. Quango calculates how much both rates should rise each year, with ministers almost always following his recommendations.

Her appointment will quell fears that Labor could target a trade unionist to force it to push through unsustainable pay rises. This will harm small businesses in particular and risks undermining economic growth.

It is also a sign that the Tories are keen to ensure that right-wing thinkers are embedded in government before the next election.

It is also a sign that the Tories are keen to ensure that right-wing thinkers are embedded in government.

p >'Labour to appoint trade union baron'

Tory MPs complained that many key institutions were still controlled by left-wing groupthink after Sir Tony Blair nominated Labor Party members.

A Whitehall source said: “Despite their money and power, quangos are often operationally independent and invulnerable. under the same control as government departments. The only way in which the Secretary of State can legitimately influence their work is to appoint a competent chairman.

“The Conservative Government appointing Baroness Stroud, who has a track record of reform to make work pay and recognizes the role of business in raising living standards, has been very smart. Labor will appoint a trade union baron who will crush businesses with exorbitant costs and burdens.»

Danny Kruger, co-chair of the New Conservative group of MPs, said Baroness Stroud was an «excellent appointment».

“The government has the right to avoid left-wing groupthink in government by appointing a Conservative with real experience of managing the mix of wages and benefits and ensuring pay is paid,” he added.

Will play an important role in rolling out universal loan< p>According to 2018-19 data, around half of government appointees with known political allegiances support Labor, while less than a third are Conservatives.

The ratio has improved since 2011-12, shortly after the Conservatives took power when it was 77 per cent Labor compared to 14 per cent Tory.

Baroness Stroud was instrumental in rolling out Universal Credit, which has been repeatedly attacked by Labor to encourage people to opt out. benefits and work. She is also the founder of the Center for Social Justice and executive director of the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship, founded by Jordan Peterson.

During the pandemic, she played a key role in the Covid Recovery Group, an alliance of Tory MPs that was formed to oppose further lockdowns .

Baroness Stroud will take up her role on 1 January and replace Brian Sanderson, the outgoing chairman, a former banker and chief executive of BP Chemicals.< /p>