British Peers Could Lose Their Perch

House of Commons wants counterpart Lords to be elected

By Sophie Goldstein, Newser User

Posted Mar 8, 2007 11:26 AM CST

(Newser) – British peers took it on the chin last night as their confrères in the House of Commons voted to make the House of Lords 100 percent elected, ending the rights of title-holders to inherit their seats. If a larger reform plan passes, the Lords could find elected members in their midst for the first time in history.

They can sit pretty for now, however: the Commons' bill was largely symbolic, indicating support for the measure but not changing the law. Real reform isn't likely to come until after the next election.

Start Of British Legal Year Marked With Judges Breakfast (Getty Images)

The Queen Launches The New Parliamentary Session In Britain (Getty Images)

State Opening Of Parliament (Getty Images)

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British Peers Could Lose Their Perch

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

House of Lords • British Parliament • House of Commons • reform • Britain

MOST POPULAR STORIES

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More Newser Stories

Forget Tea Parties: Irate Brits Talking 'Bout a Revolution

Decades-long tensions come to the fore over latest scandal

British Lord Guilty of Expenses Scam

Peer faces jail time for fake travel expenses

UK-Style Question Time Isn't What US Needs

Terror threat calls for unity, not more partisanship

Brown to Repay $20K in Expense Scandal

PM had called for ministers to pony up

US Journo Exposed UK Expense Scandal

Freelancer's Freedom of Information Act query lifted lid on abuse of system

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