An MP is urging significant changes to the House of Lords following an investigation by the Mirror that revealed over 100 peers could face expulsion if new attendance rules are passed.
Among those at risk are prominent figures like former Prime Minister David Cameron, ex-deputy PM Michael Heseltine, former chancellor Philip Hammond, ex-Scottish Conservative Party leader Ruth Davidson, and former London mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith.
The proposed rules mandate that members attend at least 20% of sitting days, potentially affecting well-known personalities such as Alan Sugar, Ian Botham, and Evgeny Lebedev, who had low attendance rates.
Pete Wishart, SNP Shadow Leader of the House of Commons, criticized the current system, stating that the unelected House of Lords has no place in modern democracy and should be abolished for lacking democratic legitimacy.
Lord George Foulkes, a former minister, supports the attendance threshold increase, emphasizing that members should be seen as working peers rather than receiving an honorary title.
Recent data analysis showed varying attendance rates among peers, with some falling below the proposed 20% threshold, prompting calls for reform and increased accountability within the House of Lords.
The House of Lords Retirement and Participation Committee recommended raising the attendance requirement to 20% of sitting days and implementing a retirement age cap of 80 to ensure the chamber’s efficient operation.
The government is considering these recommendations, which align with its manifesto commitment to introduce participation requirements and a retirement age for the House of Lords.