Childs Hill Peer

Childs Hill is nowhere near the sea but it now has a peer. Apparently LibDem Councillor Monroe Palmer OBE has been made a life peer in the Prime Minister's list of newly-created peers. I hope he will be known as Lord Palmer of Childs Hill rather than of Barnet. I have only met him once or twice but see him about from time to time.

He plans to carry on in his role as a councillor, which he has done for the last 25 years. He said recently “I hope to combine both roles. I think my work in the House of Lords will benefit from the knowledge I have as a councillor regarding how local councils work and how people react to things, and I think me being in the House of Lords will help my colleagues in Barnet Council.”

Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Democrats, nominated Cllr Palmer for the position and he will be introduced into the House as a working life peer in the new year.

Cllr Palmer said: “Nick Clegg knows me personally and he is well aware of the work I have done locally and nationally.”

He added: “I am excited about my new role and feel very privileged.”

Cllr Palmer is also national chairman of Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel and has an interest in matters concerning the Middle East.

Talking about what issues he would like to raise in the House of Lords, Cllr Palmer said: “I would like to inform people on my views on the conflicts in the Middle East and I want to do my best to bring peace to that region.

“But I also hope the House of Lords can make use of my knowledge on issues such as planning, highways and taxation.”

Cllr Palmer represents the Childs Hill ward alongside his wife, Councillor Susette Palmer.

They married in Golders Green Synagogue and have three children and six grandchildren.

Cllr Palmer said: “We are very family orientated and most of our family is close by – my son and daughter-in-law live next door with their three children.”

Cllr Susette Palmer, who has lived in Childs Hill all her life, added: “I am so proud of him – he really deserves it and I think he will be an asset to the House of Lords.”

Matthew Harris, vice-chairman of Barnet Liberal Democrats, said: “It is great that Monroe is going to represent Barnet in Parliament.

“He will be a splendid voice for local people in important Parliamentary debates. Nobody has worked harder than Monroe in his many years as a Barnet councillor.”