Hereditary peers are set to be removed from the House of Lords before the upcoming King’s Speech. The House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill has successfully passed through Parliament, marking the end of the entitlement to inherit a lifelong seat in the chamber. Following Tony Blair’s 1999 Lords reform, which significantly reduced the number of hereditary peers, 92 individuals retained the privilege to participate in the chamber and vote on governmental matters.
A new Bill introduced by Keir Starmer will eliminate this remaining quota of hereditary peers, aligning with Labour’s pledge to voters in the 2024 election to abolish the “indefensible” practice of hereditary peers sitting in the Lords and engaging in voting. The right of hereditary peers to occupy seats in the Lords will cease at the conclusion of the current parliamentary session, expected later this spring.
Baroness Angela Smith, the Lords Leader, emphasized the importance of upholding the principle established by Parliament over 25 years ago, stating that individuals should not hold seats in Parliament solely based on inherited titles. The government has engaged in productive discussions with the Conservatives, agreeing to grant the party a certain number of life peerages.
Acknowledging the opposition’s reliance on the experience of hereditary peers in various capacities, Baroness Smith noted that it would be the responsibility of the opposing party to nominate individuals for peerages, subject to scrutiny by the House of Lords Appointments Commission.
Lord True, the Conservative’s shadow Lords leader, expressed regret over the Bill’s implications for his colleagues, acknowledging the mixed sentiments among peers. Reflecting on the historical significance of hereditary peers’ service in Parliament, Lord True emphasized the need for mutual respect among members during this transitional period.
The Earl of Devon, a crossbench hereditary peer, expressed a sense of loss for the departing members, highlighting their role as an integral part of the nation’s constitutional framework. Dr. Jess Garland, Director of Policy and Research at the Electoral Reform Society, commended the government on passing the bill, emphasizing the importance of further reforms to ensure the House of Lords reflects the diversity and accountability expected in a modern democracy.
