Karren Brady hits out at 'screaming and shouting' MPs who 'lack respect'

17 September 2023 , 17:02

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Baroness Brady often appears alongside Lord Sugar on The Apprentice (Image: PA)

Businesswoman Karren Brady believes that people in politics are "lacking respect" for one another.

The Apprentice star was made a Conservative life peer in the House of Lords on September 22, 2014, and was created Baroness Brady of Knightsbridge in the City of Westminster. But while she may have a seat in the privileged house which scrutinises legislation and holds the government account as well as introducing legislation – she has no desire to swap her seat to become an MP in the House of Commons.

Mum-of-two Karren who recently became a Small Business Ambassador for Simply Business and their Business Boost grant believes that as a member of the House of Lords, she can do "more from the sidelines". She also addressed her views on the sitting Members of Parliament who she believes can put people off a career in politics.

Karren Brady believes people 'lack respect' in politics nowadays (NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Speaking on whether she would become an MP, she exclusively told the Mirror: "No, no thank you. I can do more from the sidelines I think. It's a worry because we need really great politicians to make the country great and if people have gone off it because of the sexism, or the negativity, or the press intrusion, or the, you know, the abuse you get just because, I mean, I'm not a Labour supporter, but I do believe they genuinely believe some of the policies they're putting forward.

"They're not making it up. I mean, you have to respect that you have to have some respect for everybody. And I think that that's probably lacking in politics. And I think that puts a lot of people off when you see them in the House of Commons screaming and shouting at each other who thinks 'Oh, that's the kind of environment I'd like to work in'. Not many."

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The Apprentice star sits in the House of Lords as a Conservative Life Peer (PA)

Discussing her work as a peer and what goes on behind closed doors, Karren who has appeared on The Apprentice since 2009 went on to say: "think a lot of people misunderstand what the House of Lords is. We don't make legislation and we don't block legislation. Our job is to look at legislation that comes from the House of Commons and use our life experiences which is why we're invited to sit in the House of Lords to say, well, how can we make this legislation better? Or could there be any unintended consequences from the way this legislation is drafted?

"And can we improve it to avoid those unintended consequences? That's the role of the House of Lords to look at legislation, suggest amendments and send them back to the House of Commons. So it's important work and it's serious work, and I do as much as I can bearing in mind I have a full-time job."

The businesswoman is currently the Vice Chairman of West Ham and said that while she takes her job within the House of Lords extremely seriously, West Ham comes first. "West Ham is my priority so if it clashes with a West Ham game then I'm obviously not there but when I can go, I do go and I show my support for the government as I should do," she said.

Baroness Karren Brady CBE is the Small Business Ambassador at SME insurer, Simply Business, and is part of the judging panel on this year's Business Boost competition. One lucky entrepreneur will have the chance to win £25,000 to help start or grow their business. Small business owners have until 11 October to enter the competition: https://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/business-boost/

Daniel Bird