UCL Homepage

Labour’s manifesto made various promises on House of Lords reform. The first – removal of hereditary peers – was completed in May. In July, a committee reported on possible next steps to introduce retirement and participation requirements. Meg Russell reviews these, arguing they only make sense if coupled with government action to regulate prime ministerial appointments. To deal with a chamber that the manifesto states ‘has become too big’ requires control of the ‘way in’ as well as the ‘way out’. Debate by peers in September showed that they agree.

On Tuesday, the Prime Minister announced a national commission on electoral reform. In this article originally published in the Conversation UK, Alan Renwick explains that such a body should secure public involvement, not aim for a particular result and listen to the experts. He also emphasises that any change to the electoral system should be carried out with the greatest possible care.

Pick the named MP from two portraits. One wrong answer ends your chain.