Noble ties to slavery may cost seats in parliament

In a recent discovery by Declassified, it has been revealed that members of the House of Lords with ancestral ties to transatlantic slavery are facing eviction from their seats under Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s reform agenda. These hereditary peers are among the 92 targeted for removal from the unelected upper chamber of parliament.

The move marks a shift from Starmer’s initial plan to abolish the entire assembly, which has long been a source of controversy due to its undemocratic nature and generous allowances. The decision has been met with criticism from some affected peers, including Tory Lord Strathclyde.

The database compiled by University College London shows that several current hereditary peers in the House of Lords have ancestors who owned slaves and received compensation for their ‘loss’ when slavery was abolished in 1833. The ongoing debate about reparations and racial inequality linked to slavery continues to impact the political landscape, highlighting the need for accountability and reparation in modern democratic practice.

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