LABOUR have faced criticism for announcing a raft of new nominations to the House of Lords – after previously pledging to ditch the chamber altogether.
It has led to criticism from party figures, with former Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard writing “abolish the House of Lords” on social media.
The Scottish Greens meanwhile said it is “simply staggering that we are in the 21st century and are still using a system that allows the government to appoint cronies, donors and friends”.
Here’s a look back at when Labour pledged to abolish the Lords.
‘The Lords is indefensible’
IN December 2022, long before Labour came to power at this year’s election, Starmer promised “the biggest ever transfer of power from Westminster to the British people”.
Speaking to the BBC, Starmer (below) said the House of Lords is “indefensible” and that anybody “would struggle to say that it should be kept”.
“So we want to abolish the House of Lords and replace it with an elected chamber that has a really strong mission.”
Anas Sarwar’s promise
BEFORE Starmer, Anas Sarwar also pledged that a Labour Government would scrap the House of Lords.
The Guardian reported in July 2022 that Labour would instead create a “senate of the nations and regions” in its place.
During a speech in Westminster, Sarwar (below) said: “The House of Lords, in its current form, as an institution has no place in 21st-century politics.
“It is unacceptable, and has been for far too long, to have unelected representatives wielding such power.
“The House of Lords must be abolished and replaced with an institution which better reflects the makeup and the identity of the United Kingdom.”
Angela Rayner comments
COMMENTS made by the now-Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner have also been shared on social media.
In an interview with BBC Breakfast, Rayner said “we’ve said we don’t accept the House of Lords in its current programme”.
In July this year, Labour sparked anger when it emerged they had “watered down” their plans, with the party now aiming to remove hereditary peers.
Angela Rayner.. House of Lords.. "Boris Johnson trying to stuff it with his cronies".. now it's @Keir_Starmer's turn. pic.twitter.com/HFOibjFmnD
— Teejay (@MrUnrevealed) December 21, 2024
Asked directly if Labour would abolish the House of Lords, Rayner said: “We would abolish the House of Lords as it currently stands.
“We would have a second chamber that is elected and democratic. We wouldn’t have the situation that we have today.”
Standing by the pledge
IN June 2023, Sky News reported that Starmer’s spokesperson said he would stand by his pledge to get rid of the “indefensible” chamber in his first term of parliament.
It came following reports Labour wanted to fill it with new peers.
At the time, Starmer’s spokesperson said: “Every government when they first come into power do not have a majority within the House of Lords because of the nature of the appointments process.
“And every government as a matter of custom and practice looks to make appointments to the House of Lords but it’s not something that’s done in one fell swoop, it’s something that takes time and often takes more than a term in government for that to happen.”
SNP councillor Christina Cannon meanwhile shared an old tweet from Starmer in which he said he wanted to “push power, wealth and opportunity away from Whitehall”.
The tweet said he wanted to “abolish the House of Lords and replace it with an elected chamber of regions and nations”.
