Labour must keep its promise to consult on the future of the House of Lords

‘We need a second chamber that makes the most of the views and experience of a much more representative group.’ Photograph: Henry Nicholls/AP

Re Simon Jenkins’ article (Starmer’s House of Lords reform only scratches the surface of its problems, 14 October), as a network of organisations working on power and democracy in the UK, we welcome the second reading of the hereditary peers bill last week. Although removing the indefensible hereditary peers from the Lords, whose title and position in parliament depends upon a quirk of birth, is a laudable first step, this reform does not go nearly far enough to restore trust and clean up politics.

We’re calling on the government to deliver on its manifesto promise of a proper consultation on the future of the Lords, including via a representative citizens’ assembly, to let the people decide who should be holding politicians to account and making sure laws are sensible and fair.