In a significant parliamentary shake-up, the UK government is proposing to remove all remaining hereditary peers from the House of Lords, completing reforms initiated 25 years ago. The 92 hereditary peers, all white men with an average age of nearly 70, will lose their seats, eliminating the last remnant of a 700-year-old tradition.
Campaigners have long called for an overhaul of the system, which is considered outdated and indefensible. The bill, expected to become law next year, fulfills a Labour manifesto commitment to eliminate hereditary peers and reduce the size of the second chamber. Angela Smith, the Lords leader, views this reform as a necessary step in completing work started decades ago.
Additionally, the government is appointing new life peers to bolster its presence in the Lords, aiming to create a more representative and modern upper chamber. With the proposed changes, the Lords composition will evolve to better reflect the diversity and needs of contemporary Britain.
As the bill progresses through parliament, discussions are expected to be prolonged, shaping the future of the UK’s legislative landscape.
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