Elevation to peerage offers route back into frontline politics for former Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey

 

House of Lords ahoy! Thérèse Coffey 

A POLITICAL comeback beckons for former Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey - this time with  a seat in the House of Lords

The 53-year-old has been nominated to become a peer by Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, an ally since they worked together in the last government.

Despite holding the Environment portfolio, Dr Coffey was not much appreciated  in the birding world because her understanding of matters related to nature and wildlife seemed flimsy.

She was vehemently opposed to a project that might have seen White-tailed Eagles restored to Suffolk, and, after being lobbied by farmers, she also spoke out against the proposals for the reintroduction of apex predator species such as lynx and wolves.

Ornithologist-author Stephen Moss described her as "the worst Environment Secretary ever (and that takes some doing!)".

In a social media post, he wrote: "Good riddance Thérèse Coffey - you were utterly useless."

Along with Rishi Sunak and Michael Gove, Dr Coffey was also featured in the controversial RSPB  'Liars' poster for which the charity's chief executive, Beccy Speight, later apologised.

Once she is in the Lords, it is not known if Ms Badenoch will offer her a role on the Opposition Front Bench.

Rishi Sunak, Michael Gove and Thérèse Coffey - the controversial RSPB poster