Overview

• Current legislation aims to remove the remaining 92 hereditary peers in the House of Lords, a move that has reignited discussions on broader reforms.
• Critics argue that abolishing hereditary peers could increase the Prime Minister's influence over the House, as appointments would rely more heavily on political patronage.
• Proponents of reform highlight the outdated nature of hereditary peerages and the need for a more democratic and representative upper chamber.
• Some fear that removing hereditary peers could compromise the independence of the Lords, which is designed to act as a check on the House of Commons.
• The debate underscores a long-standing challenge in UK politics: finding a balance between tradition and the need for constitutional modernization.