Latest in a long series of attempts at reform

ATTEMPTS to make the House of Lords an elected Chamber were first put in motion by the Liberal government more than a century ago, in the Parliament Act of 1911.

The act noted that elections for the Upper House should be introduced but, 101 years later, the process remains incomplete.

The biggest changes came under Tony Blair’s government in 1999, when most of the hereditary peers were removed, leaving the Lords dominated by appointed life peers. However, while the deal was meant as an interim measure, it proved impossible to reach agreement in the Commons over how many members of the Lords should be elected and how many appointed.

Prior to that, the biggest change to the Upper Chamber was in 1958, when life peerages were reintroduced and the hereditary principle undermined. They had been banned in 1856.

Also, peers could no longer veto legislation in the Commons, and changes made by peers could be overturned by MPs.

Throughout parliament’s history, the Upper House has experienced turbulent times. It was abolished in 1649 by the Commons, led by Oliver Cromwell, and re-established in 1660 on the restoration of the monarchy.

Many other historic debates centred on the religious make up of the Lords.