Tina Stowell

This weekend marks 40 years since I arrived in London aged 18 from a working-class background, not knowing anyone - just determined to become a great secretary. I became a Cabinet Minister and Leader of the House of Lords. The real story about me isn't where I started, but why the sensibilities I grew up with and brought with me, took me so far. And my story has never been more relevant for leaders in a world of political and technological turbulence and at a time when public trust in institutions is low – because it’s about bridging divides and building coalitions to foster trust and get results. To find out more, watch my showreel and visit my website: tinastowell.co.uk

Was pleased to be amongst the large crowd at the Antisemitism Rally today on Whitehall. But what a terrible indictment that such an event is necessary in 2026 Britain.

Full text of peers' letter with signatories from all sides of the @UKHouseofLords, calling on Prime Minister to include anti-SLAPPs legislation in the King's Speech.

Following @HumanRightsCtte report on transnational repression- which calls for strengthening of laws against the use of SLAPPS that silence journalists and dissent- committees.parliament.uk/publications/4… I have joined with more than 100 other members of @UKHouseofLords - led by @tinastowell - urging @Keir_Starmer to include this threat to freedom of speech in the forthcoming King’s Speech legislative programme @DesmondSwayne @alexsobel @HelenaKennedyKC @michaelgove @MShipworth @DavidLammy @Billbrowder @BiancaJagger @sophiealichurch @LordSpeaker

Peers call for action to end whistleblower gagging law 2/2 telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/…

Over 100 peers from all sides of @UKHouseofLords have written to @Keir_Starmer calling for anti-SLAPPs legislation to be included in the King’s Speech. SLAPPs are an abuse of our legal system which threatens free speech, justice and democracy. (Link to story next tweet) 1/2

Too many people who are not Jewish remain silent in the face of Jew Hatred. Silence is not neutral. Neutrality in the face of Antisemitism gives hatred permission. I STAND WITH BRITISH JEWS

Please join me in praying for a swift and complete recovery for the victims of today’s attack: Nachman Moshe ben Chaya Sarah and Moshe Ben Baila.

An attack against Jews is an attack against all of us.

@Fox_Claire @UKHouseofLords So sad. Lovely photo of mutual fondness.

Not sad to see end of this parliamentary session. Am VERY SAD to say goodbye to so many exemplary peers from @UKHouseofLords like legendary Lord Geddes below. Fair enough: abolish hereditary peerages. But why were Labour so ungracious to indiv peers, dumped unceremoniously? Cruel

In the midst of all the news today, and with Parliament prorogued, many people may not have noticed that this was the final time the hereditary peers sat in Parliament before being forced out by Labour. I want to pay an extra special tribute to them. Combined they had 1784 years of parliamentary experience, wisdom and service to this country. That is not something easily replaced, and it should not be casually discarded. Most were Conservatives. All were public servants. They have brought to public life judgment shaped over decades, deep expertise, institutional memory, and a sense of duty that has strengthened Parliament and, very often, improved legislation in ways the public will never fully see. Their record speaks for itself. They have served in war and peace, in government and opposition, in defence, diplomacy, farming, business, science and public service. They have not merely occupied seats in the Lords, they have contributed to the life of the nation. That is why what has happened matters. Hereditary peers are a living part of Britain’s constitutional inheritance that Labour is casually tearing up. Labour has rubbed away another part of our heritage, not to strengthen Parliament but to replace it with political appointees, four of whom it has already had to suspend the whip from because they were so inappropriate. That contrast says rather a lot. At a time when public trust in politics is fragile, I think it is worth saying plainly that experience, seriousness and tradition still matter. Service still matters. Duty still matters. So today, as an era closes, I want to put on record my profound gratitude and admiration for our hereditary peers. Britain has been better governed because of them. The Conservative Party has been stronger because of them. And Parliament will be poorer without them. Their contribution will long outlast the petty politics that has brought this moment about.

The end of hereditary peers in the House of Lords is more significant than it appears. Some point to history, heraldry or tradition. And it’s all those things. But the loss of some continuity to provide stability amidst constant change just doesn’t feel like progress to me.

“We are approaching the position where an electronic counter which measures ‘Days since the last antisemitic attack in the UK’ would struggle to get into double figures.” ⬇️ Today’s stabbing resets it to zero. Will the Gov’t now identify the root cause of this violence - and act?

Absolutely, truly impeccable. Kudos to the official who came up with this idea, and found it. I honestly doubt that a gift given by one head of state has ever so genuinely delighted another. It won't look out of place on the mantelpiece of the Oval Office.

Someone who seems to be a lovely, decent man has just won £1million on “Who Wants To Be a Millionaire” and it’s just brilliant. Well done him! @ITV @JeremyClarkson @MillionaireUK

As a supporter of assisted dying, and the minister who led equal marriage through the HoL, I don’t agree that the two bills are similar. Same Sex Marriage legislation protected religious freedom, and amended the Equality Act so that it is legal for people to openly express their disagreement to gay marriage. In other words, all the legitimate concerns people had about equal marriage were resolved through protections in the legislation, so that serious opposition to the bill could be made only on ‘principle’ not ‘fear’. In short, we changed the law to future-proof the institution of marriage for the benefit of everyone and at the expense of no-one. I hope we can find a way to do the same for assisted dying, so that all of us have a choice about how to die when we’re dying, confident that it’s a genuine and equal free choice for all.

This is appalling. The combination of laws and culture driving employers to do the wrong thing need unpicking so we stop seeing employees who do the right thing being sacked.

These kind of investigative reports from @BBCNews, exposing what's really happening on high streets in some parts of the UK, and other reports about illegal immigrants (and there have been a few of them now) - are really good because they expose what people witness or suspect and force those in power to act. It's the kind of news they expect from the BBC - because it's the BBC working on their behalf, not 'educating' them about social issues they already understand very well. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

@jfwduffield I agree. They’re visible common standards that signal mutual respect, which make it easier for us to build bonds of trust, work together or do business with each other.

@tinastowell Your article stuck in my memory. Rather than oppressing people dress codes & expected standards of behaviour free people from subjective prejudice.

Disagree. Uniforms are highly effective in institutional environments. Flatten social differences, create a sense of belonging & promote meritocracy. @tinastowell has written some interesting things about the importance of formal dress codes in workplaces.