Former leader of Kent County Council, Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, has been named as one of 23 new life peers.
Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart quit as council leader last year
Sir Sandy, who is still a Conservative councillor, will become a baron when he takes up his place as a working member of the House of Lords.
He said it was a "great opportunity" which would give him a platform to stand up for the interests of Kent.
"I am delighted - it is a recognition of the great success of thousands of people at the county council," he said.
The working lilfe peers are expected to make a "regular and substantial contribution" to the work of the upper house.
Sir Sandy said he relished the chance to play a role in checking and improving government bills.
He will also continue as chairman of the Local Government Association until July 2007.
"I was looking forward to spending a bit more time with my family and leading a slightly quieter life," he said.
"We think that's out of the window for the moment."
He said he was unsure what his full title would be - although he still wanted to be known as Sandy rather than Lord Bruce-Lockhart.
"One of the advantages of having a long surname is that people tend to use your Christian name and that's certainly the way I hope it will stay," he said.
He also intended to continue as a county councillor.
"It is very important to keep your roots in the county council," he said.
"One learns so much from constituents, from talking to people, and if you forget your roots you are not much use on the national sphere."