An MP is urging significant changes to the House of Lords following a recent investigation by the Mirror that identified over 100 peers facing potential expulsion if new attendance regulations are enforced.
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 the party’s former London mayor candidate Zac Goldsmith.
Additional notable individuals who might be affected by the proposed attendance requirements, mandating members to be present for at least 20% of sitting days, include Apprentice boss Alan Sugar, cricket legend Ian Botham, and newspaper proprietor Evgeny Lebedev. These personalities were reportedly present for only around 1% of all recorded sittings between November 2023 and February 2026.
Pete Wishart, SNP Shadow Leader of the House of Commons, expressed the need for more decisive action, criticizing the House of Lords as an oversized, unelected entity incompatible with modern democracy. He emphasized the ineffectiveness of merely increasing attendance without addressing the core issue of unelected individuals influencing legislation.
Wishart pointed out what he perceives as hypocrisy within Westminster, citing instances where political figures advocate for reform while simultaneously accepting appointments to the Lords. He called for the abolition of the House of Lords or, if retained, for a chamber with democratic legitimacy and public accountability.
Former minister Lord George Foulkes voiced support for the proposed reforms, emphasizing the importance of peers fulfilling their duties and contributing actively, rather than viewing membership as an honorary title.
Efforts to assess peer attendance revealed varying levels of engagement, with some well-known individuals falling below the suggested 20% threshold during the evaluated period. Records indicate instances where peers failed to meet the attendance requirements, prompting discussions on the necessity of reform and increased accountability within the House of Lords.
The proposed changes, including raising the attendance threshold and implementing a retirement age cap, aim to enhance the operational efficiency of the House of Lords. These recommendations, if adopted, would introduce measures to ensure members’ active participation and prevent prolonged periods of inactivity within the chamber.
