Further Lords reform set to be unveiled
In the next big push to reform the House of Lords, the Government this week will unveil plans to further diminish the historical role of hereditary peers in the unelected Second Chamber.
Lord Falconer, the new Constitutional Affairs Secretary, is expected disclose how the Government intends to remove the remaining 92 unelected members.
Legislation on Lords reform is expected to be included in the Queen’s Speech in November or December.
As the Government is far from unified on how best to boost democracy in the Lords, with opinions split between a fully elected or an appointed Second Chamber, the Blair administration is likely to ask for more consultation in a White Paper.
The spokesman for the Department of Constitutional Affairs said: “Parliament has been unable to reach a consensus on the future of the House of Lords, but the government has unfinished business on this subject.”
Following Lord Milner of Leeds’ death last month, there will be a by-election for one of the last hereditary positions in the Lords.
