UK ends centuries-old hereditary seats in House of Lords
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Hereditary peers are set to lose their automatic right to sit and vote in the House of Lords, a major reform expected to take effect before the next King’s Speech.
The House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill has completed its parliamentary journey, receiving final approval on Tuesday.
The legislation ends the arrangement that has allowed 92 hereditary peers to occupy the red benches and vote since 1999. Under the new rules, hereditary peers who have not been appointed as life peers will lose their seats once the current parliamentary session concludes, likely later this spring.
Lords Leader Baroness Smith of Basildon said: “This has never been about individual contributions, but the principle agreed by parliament over 25 years ago: that no one should sit in our parliament solely by inherited title. Over a quarter of a century later, hereditary peers remain, while meaningful reform has stalled. We have a duty to find a way forward.”
The minister noted that government teams have held “constructive conversations” with the Conservatives and agreed to allocate the party a number of life peerages. She acknowledged that the opposition relies on the experience of hereditary peers, particularly on the front bench and in committees. Of the 84 hereditary peers currently sitting, 42 are Conservatives, while 31 are independent crossbenchers.
“As always, it will be for the opposition to decide whom they wish to nominate for peerages, subject to vetting by the House of Lords Appointments Commission,” Lady Smith added.
Lord Speaker Lord Forsyth of Drumlean thanked hereditary peers for their service, noting their contributions to debate, scrutiny, and institutional memory. Conservative shadow Lords leader Lord True described the bill as a “bitter pill” for many colleagues.
