Cunningham: A likely lord

The number of Blairite peers is set to swell further this week or next after Tony Blair announces the dissolution honours.

Several prominent MPs are set for reward when the list is announced at the end of this parliament.

With senior MPs, such as Jack Cunningham, standing down from the Commons, ermine is likely to be in short supply for some senior retiring members, who may have to wait for elevation in the next parliament.

Former minister George Foulkes and arts minister Estelle Morris, who has announced she is quitting the Commons, are likely to head to the Lords.

Foulkes was an unflinching supporter of the prime minister during the Iraq conflict and is widely regarded as one MP set for reward.

As a former Cabinet minister Morris is automatically entitled to a seat in the Lords under unwritten rules governing ex-ministers.

Reward

Other potential peers include Lewis Moonie, who handed his seat to Gordon Brown as part of the post-devolution boundary review, and the outspoken Labour backbencher Tony Banks. 

Tam Dalyell, the father of the House of Commons, has signalled that he will not join the second chamber upon his retirement fro the Commons.

One surprise peer could be Margaret Beckett, who could announce an 11th hour decision to quit the House of Commons once the general election is announced.

With the possible vacancy of Lords leader opening if Baroness Amos the post of UN development chief –  and other government jobs set to open in the upper house – recently-enobled peers may also secure posts in a fourth term Blair administration.

Some Labour peers are privately expressing hesitation about the prospect of Cunningham being parachuted into the leader’s post – expressing a preference for chief whip Lord Grocott in the event of Amos departing to New York.

Long-serving Labour MPs who have safe seats may also be offered the inducement of a peerage to encourage them to stand aside at the last minute.

At this stage any vacancies are filled from an NEC approved shortlist - which effectively gives the party's high command a say over who will become the MP in the constituency.