The facts are clear: We can’t afford to let the Lords go unreformedTomasina Wallman is a University of Nottingham Research Placement student with the Electoral Reform Society. The evidence is stronger than ever. The House of Lords is a drain not only on our democracy, but on...Posted 16 Nov 2017
The proposed Lords reforms are sticking plaster politics: Peers are writing their own rulesWe’re at a rare point in politics. There is almost a consensus on the need for change –to cut down the supersized House of Lords. At the end of this month, a key Lords committee...Posted 19 Oct 2017
There’s a ‘something for nothing’ culture in the Lords. It’s time for Lords reformEmma Levin reflects on our recent House of Lords research While their role is supposedly to scrutinise government, it is the House of Lords that should be coming under increased scrutiny, following revelations today. Just...Posted 21 Sep 2017
The results come in for the UK’s most bizarre and elitist electionBaron Vaux of Harrowden (or Richard Hubert Gordon Gilbey) has won a seat for life on the basis of 16 (out of 27 cast) aristocrats’ votes. How did we get here? In 1999, the House...Posted 20 Jul 2017
The House of Lords is in the midst of yet another hereditary peers’ by-electionBy Darren Hughes In case you’re not aware of this bizarre constitutional anomaly, in 1999, the House of Lords Act kicked out all but 92 hereditary peers. But instead of reducing that number over time,...Posted 11 Jul 2017
Enough is enough – it’s time for a full review of Lords’ expensesIt seems that each new batch of expenses from the House of Lords is yet another scandal. This weekend we saw fresh revelations – and with it, some pretty egregious abuses of the system. Yesterday...Posted 03 Apr 2017
The momentum for Lords reform is growingReform often comes through an unusual mix of factors. They stir up within a short space of time – until the whole strange potion explodes. It feels like we might be witnessing that process right...Posted 10 Mar 2017
The House of Lords effectively has seats reserved for menThe House of Lords is back in spotlight this morning, last night having again challenged the government’s Brexit plans by voting 336 to 268 for Parliament to be granted a meaningful vote on the final...Posted 08 Mar 2017
Lords scandals do a disservice to our democracy – including our MPsIf there’s one thing that’s certain about politics in these volatile times, it’s that MPs aren’t exactly flavour of the month. In fact, they’re ranked below bankers and estate agents when it comes to trust. But they...Posted 02 Mar 2017
‘Meet the Lords’ lays bare the scandalous situation in the upper chamberAnother year, another round of Lords scandals. This time, it’s revelations that a peer left a taxi waiting outside Parliament while he went inside to register for his daily £300 allowance – and then return to hop...Posted 28 Feb 2017