Crossbencher Baroness D'Souza elected new Lord Speaker

By Matthew Barrett
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Crossbench peer Baroness (Frances) D'Souza has been elected to be the new Speaker of the House of Lords, succeeding Labour peer Baroness (Helene) Hayman.

Baroness D'Souza, a scientist and human rights campaigner who became a peer in 2004, was previously the Convenor of the Crossbench Peers. 

Baroness D'Souza beat Conservative peer Lord Colwyn, who has sat in the Lords since 1967 and had already served as a Deputy Chairman of Committees and as Deputy Speaker. The election was held under the AV system, and D'Souza beat Colwyn by 296 votes to 285 after four rounds of voting. Voting took place last Wednesday, but the results were announced today. 

The other four candidates were:

• Lord Desai (Lab)
• Lord Goodlad (Con)
• Baroness Harris of Richmond (Lib Dem) 
• Lord Redesdale (Lib Dem)