UK Moves to End Hereditary Peers

a { color: #880000 !important; background: #ffeeee !important; } UK Moves to End Hereditary PeersParliament > PoliticsOn October 15, 2024, UK lawmakers advanced a bill to remove hereditary peers from the House of Lords, a significant step in parliamentary reform. The Labour government argues this change is necessary for modern representation, while some peers warn against altering the constitution.

What's happened

On October 15, 2024, UK lawmakers advanced a bill to remove hereditary peers from the House of Lords, a significant step in parliamentary reform. The Labour government argues this change is necessary for modern representation, while some peers warn against altering the constitution.

Why it matters

What the papers say

According to the South China Morning Post, the Labour government describes the bill as 'the largest constitutional reform to the UK Parliament in a quarter of a century.' The BBC highlights that the bill's passage is seen as a 'long overdue' change, with Constitutional Affairs Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds stating, 'It isn’t right that what was a temporary arrangement in 1999 should last any longer.' In contrast, The Guardian critiques the bill as insufficient, noting that it does not address the presence of bishops or other appointed members, suggesting that the Lords remains a 'luxurious club.' The Mirror emphasizes the potential for fierce opposition in the Lords, indicating that the hereditary peers may not relinquish their positions easily. This divergence in perspectives illustrates the complexity of reforming a deeply entrenched institution.

How we got here

The House of Lords has included hereditary peers for over 700 years. Previous reforms in 1999 reduced their numbers, but 92 remained. The current Labour government aims to complete this reform, reflecting a commitment to modernize the UK's legislative framework.

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