Hereditary peers to lose their seats in the House of Lords

Hereditary peerages will be abolished before the next king’s speech after a deal was struck granting life peerages to some Conservatives and cross-benchers losing their seats.On Tuesday evening the upper chamber accepted a final draft of the House of Lords (hereditary peers) bill, marking the end of its passage through Parliament and clearing the way for it to be added to the statute book.The Lords leader, Angela Smith, confirmed the government would offer life peerages to some of those who would otherwise lose their seats. As a result, the Tories withdrew their opposition to the bill.Since 1999, up to 92 hereditary peers have been able to sit in the upper house and cast their votes in the lobbies but the bill effectively reduces this quota to zero.Hereditary peers who have not been made life peers will no longer have a right to sit in the Lords once the current parliamentary session ends, expected later this spring.Lady Smith said: “This has never been about the contribution of individuals but the underlying principle that was agreed by Parliament over 25 years ago that no one should sit in our Parliament by way of an inherited title.“Over a quarter of a century later, hereditary peers remain while meaningful reform has stagnated. We have a duty to find a way forward.”The lord speaker, Michael Forsyth, offered his thanks to hereditary peers for their service in the upper chamber.Lord Forsyth of Drumlean said: “I would like to thank hereditary peers from all parties and none for their work in the House of Lords over many years.“Whatever views people may have of this constitutional change, it is sad to say goodbye to friends, who in many cases have contributed significantly to debate and scrutiny and to our institutional memory.“Recognising their contribution is not about party politics but acknowledging the value of service and commitment, and I am proud to do so and to thank them.”The king’s speech is expected to take place in the second week of May, days after elections across Britain on 7 May.