politics

April 30, 2026

Starmer restores powers to ousted hereditary peers in Lords shake-up

Dozens handed life peerages in apparent concession, enabling their return to red benches

Starmer restores powers to ousted hereditary peers in Lords shake-up

TL;DR

  • 15 Conservative, 2 Labour, and 9 crossbench hereditary peers have been granted life peerages.
  • This enables their return to the House of Lords, reversing the abolition of their seats.
  • The move is a concession by Keir Starmer to facilitate his plans to reform the House of Lords.
  • The legislation to abolish hereditary peers had caused significant disruption and demands for compensation.
  • The peers underwent a due diligence process, including checks by HMRC.
  • The deal includes the Conservative party speeding up the retirement of some of its life peers.
  • The Scottish National party criticized the move, arguing it distracts from the cost-of-living crisis.
  • Further updates to the Lords, including participation requirements and a retirement age, are expected.

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