It is less than 12 months since I wrote about the House of Lords. At that time, I described the second chamber as “an anachronism that has no place in a modern democracy,” and I set out my frustration that 38 new peers had been created. I wish to return to this subject as another 34 new peers have just been announced – 25 from the Labour Party, five from the Lib Dems and three from the Conservatives, plus one cross-bencher.
I believe it is wrong that people can get appointed to a legislature for life, and I am yet to hear a convincing argument about how it can be justified in 21st century Britain.
Labour’s manifesto stated that the party was “committed to replacing the House of Lords with an alternative second chamber that is more representative of the regions and nations.” I was expecting that my role, as the leader of Mebyon Kernow, would be to make the case for bespoke representation for Cornwall as one of the nations of the UK. But instead I am repeatedly expressing disappointment at the lack of urgency with which the UK Government is dealing with this archaic and undemocratic institution.
Labour’s manifesto was also explicit that reform of the House of Lords was “long overdue and essential,” and because appointments are for life, the second chamber of Parliament had become “too big.” But significant reforms are simply not happening. I acknowledge that a Bill is going through parliamentary process to remove the last of the hereditary peers – about ninety – but it is telling that since Keir Starmer was elected Prime Minister in July 2024, a total of 96 new Lords have been appointed. So this institution, which is “too big,” is still expanding!
The Prime Minister is clearly seeking to “rebalance” the second chamber so that Labour can reduce the relative strength of the opposition and – to quote one newspaper – “push ahead with implementing its legislative agenda.” I did see one “Labour source” moaning that the Conservatives had “stuffed the House of Lords” with allies during their time in office, and yet seemed oblivious to the reality that Keir Starmer is now doing the very same “stuffing.”
In 2009, I was the member of a district council which was abolished mid-term by a previous Labour Government, while the present one is pushing through local government reorganisation in many parts of England – regardless of what local people think – and bringing in regionalisation through mayoralties. If they can find the time to do this, there can be no legitimate excuses not to make reform of the House of Lords a priority.
Article by Cllr Dick Cole published in the Cornish Guardian (17th December 2025) and West Briton newspapers (18th December 2025)