An elected second chamber

House of Lords chamber (c) Parliamentary copyright 2008

Published on: 14 July 2008

This White Paper sets out the government's proposals for a reformed second chamber of the UK Parliament.

The proposals are based on last year's House of Commons votes for an 80% or 100% elected second chamber and follow cross-party talks on how this could be achieved.

The White Paper makes proposals for reform in a number of areas:

  • Role and composition
    The House of Lords plays a valuable role in holding the government to account and revising legislation. The reforms would strengthen those roles and make the second chamber more accountable. The House of Commons would continue to be the primary chamber in the UK legislature.
  • Membership of the chamber
    The proposed reforms would create a second chamber with directly elected members, which would be smaller than the House of Commons. The remaining rights of hereditary peers to sit and vote in the second chamber would be removed.
  • Powers of the new chamber
     The government proposes no changes to the powers of a reformed second chamber.
  • The possible role of appointed members to ensure independence
    If it is decided that there should be a 20% appointed element, the government proposes that its key purpose be to provide a significant independent element in the second chamber. A statutory appointments commission would seek nominations and applications for membership, against published criteria.

The government is also proposing changes to the arrangements for eligibility, remuneration and accountability.

Contact us:

House of Lords Reform Team, Ministry of Justice, Area 7.40, 102 Petty France, London SW1H 9AJ

email or telephone 020 3334 3889