Ministers propose creating additional life peers this year to secure Conservative support for legislation abolishing the remaining hereditary peers in the House of Lords.
Key Compromise Details
The offer allows Conservatives to nominate more life peers than in the past two years. Discussions indicate the exact number hinges on how many Tory peers agree to step down voluntarily. Officials aim to enact the Hereditary Peers Bill before the parliamentary session ends this spring, following delays from opposition tactics.
Baroness Smith, Leader of the House of Lords, plans to present this compromise when the bill returns for scrutiny on March 10.
Recent Appointments and Balancing Act
In December 2025, authorities announced 34 new peers: 25 Labour, five Liberal Democrats, and three Conservatives. The precise allocation of extra seats for Conservatives remains undisclosed.
Hereditary peers losing their seats must apply for life peerages through standard channels, alongside other candidates. Parties submit nominations via political lists, which the Prime Minister approves before the King formalizes appointments.
Most hereditary peers were removed in 1999 under a prior Labour administration, sparing 92 through a deal with Conservatives. Labour’s 2024 manifesto committed to eliminating their right to sit and vote.
Ministers seek to align Labour’s representation with Conservatives, who hold 280 seats compared to Labour’s 227. One source noted, “Despite our two lists and the ministerial appointments, we are still a fair number behind the Tories. It’s about rebalancing things.”
Legislative Progress and Opposition
Introduced in September 2024, the bill gained House of Commons approval. Progress stalled in the Lords due to extensive Conservative amendments and prolonged debates.
Lord True, Conservative shadow leader in the Lords, warned in a recent interview that advancing the “purge” of hereditary peers would trigger “very aggressive procedural action.”
A Conservative Lords spokesperson stated: “We are aware that the next stage of the Hereditary Peers Bill has been scheduled for Tuesday March 10. As happens with all legislation, discussions are held between the opposition and the government on how we will make progress.”
A government spokesperson affirmed: “This government is committed to removing the right of hereditary peers to sit and vote in the House of Lords, in line with its manifesto commitment. We will announce further steps on this in due course.”
