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Hereditary peers have officially vacated their seats in the House of Lords, marking the end of an era that spanned nearly a millennium. While most hereditary peers lost their automatic right to sit in the Lords following reforms in 1999, a compromise allowed 92 to remain. However, with the conclusion of the latest parliamentary session, new legislation has now removed the remaining hereditary peers from their positions, effectively closing this chapter of British parliamentary history.
Lord Forsyth of Drumlean, the Lord Speaker, honored the departing peers at a farewell event, reflecting on their long-standing contributions. He remarked, “For close to a thousand years, hereditary peers and their families have helped to shape our institutions, defend our country, preserve our culture and strengthen that spirit of public service without which no nation can flourish.” He also noted that hereditary peers have brought unique characteristics to the Lords, including “an ethos of service, a long view and, not least, independence of mind,” often demonstrating a readiness to “speak plainly, to resist passing fashions, and to act according to conscience rather than convenience.”
The recent legislation that led to this change was passed last month, fulfilling a promise included in Labour’s 2024 election manifesto. Though hereditary peers were removed, a number of individuals—specifically 15 Conservatives and some crossbenchers—will continue serving as life peers. According to the government, these appointments are intended to maintain the effective functioning of the House of Lords and to retain the valuable experience of departing hereditary members. These new life peers will join around 700 current life peers, along with 26 Church of England archbishops and bishops.
Some hereditary peers expressed regret over the decision. Lord Strathclyde, a Conservative hereditary peer who is leaving the Lords, described the day as “sad and miserable” and criticized the reform as skewing membership too heavily towards political appointees. He stressed that “the hereditaries were only 10% of the House,” adding, “They did no harm and provided historical perspective, so this just feels wrong.” Meanwhile, further reforms to the House of Lords are planned, including new rules requiring members’ participation and setting a retirement age, with select committee reports expected later in the year. This final phase completes a long process of reform that began in 1999 when the number of hereditary peers was drastically reduced, reflecting ongoing discussions about the chamber’s future and relevance
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