It’s only a short walk from the House of Commons to the House of Lords. But as a former MP, passing through the grandeur of Central Lobby to take your seat in the ‘other place’ is an extraordinary journey.

Both Houses of Parliament are steeped in history – there are reminders everywhere of the great leaders and reformers who have gone before – but there are some big differences between the two.

For a start, the red benches in the Lords are much more comfortable than the green benches in the Commons – I can vouch for that. But the main thing that strikes you as a new peer is the incredible breadth and depth of knowledge, expertise and intellect in the Upper House, compared with the Commons, and the respect shown to each other by members from all sides during debates.

It’s a well-worn myth that the House of Lords is some sort of retirement home for politicians. I’ve found that many members work hard, and for long hours, without the staff and special advisers that are available to MPs, with the genuine goal of making our legislation as good as it can be.

During my time in the Commons, I was shadow secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, and a member of the shadow cabinet. In the House of Lords, I am once again part of Labour’s Defra team, and an opposition whip, and I’m pleased to have helped get the Environment Bill into law at last, three years after I …