London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Sep 13, 2025

UK govt considering reform of upper House

UK govt considering reform of upper House

The United Kingdom's ruling Conservative Party, fresh from its success in last week's general election, is understood to be contemplating a radical shakeup of the way the nation is governed.
Quoting unnamed senior sources from within the party, the Financial Times said on Tuesday that Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants to overhaul the House of Lords to make it more accountable to the masses and more democratic.

Ironically, change and even abolition of Parliament's upper chamber has long been a dream of the left-wing Labour Party but has traditionally not been on the radar of the right-wing Conservative Party, which tends to be more supportive of the establishment.

The FT said Johnson wants the House of Lords to be more relevant.

In the past, the second chamber, where the decisions of the House of Commons are raked over, was the domain of aristocrats with hereditary powers.

Today, it mainly comprises people who have been appointed by government, and senior religious figures. But it still houses some hereditary peers and is still seen by many as old fashioned and lacking in accountability.

The paper said Johnson believes an updated House of Lords will be useful in countering the rise of Scottish nationalism and the risk of Scotland breaking from the UK.

The plan reportedly calls for members of the 793-seat House of Lords to be directly elected by the public, something Johnson believes will give voters in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland more of a stake in Westminster.

The paper said the idea is being led by Dominic Cummings, Johnson's chief adviser.

Tom Strathclyde, a former leader of Conservative Party members of the House of Lords, said: "We need a stronger, more responsible second chamber, more directly accountable to people. There are many ideas as to how that could happen."

Johnson is expected to kick off the reform by setting up a commission to look at the UK's democratic system. It is likely to deliver a report on options within a year.

And the government will also look at the findings of the Constitution Reform Group, a cross-party organization that has been looking for ways to preserve the UK through a new political arrangement.

Johnson's mind is focused on the risk of Scotland leaving the union because of the success of the pro-independence Scottish National Party in last week's general election, which won 48 of Scotland's 59 seats in the House of Commons.

Johnson, meanwhile, is promising to pay back traditional Labour Party voters who supported his Conservative Party in last week's vote by spending heavily on initiatives in their areas.

He is reportedly planning to invest 100 billion pounds ($131 billion) over the coming five years, on roads, rail, and other infrastructure projects, mainly in constituencies that formerly had Labour Party MPs but that now have Conservative Party representatives.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
French Debt Downgrade Piles Pressure on Macron’s New Prime Minister
US and UK Near Tech, Nuclear and Whisky Deals Ahead of Trump Trip
One in Three Europeans Now Uses TikTok, According to the Chinese Tech Giant
Could AI Nursing Robots Help Healthcare Staffing Shortages?
NATO Deploys ‘Eastern Sentry’ After Russian Drones Violate Polish Airspace
Anesthesiologist Left Operation Mid-Surgery to Have Sex with Nurse
Tens of Thousands of Young Chinese Get Up Every Morning and Go to Work Where They Do Nothing
The New Life of Novak Djokovic
The German Owner of Politico Mathias Döpfner Eyes Further U.S. Media Expansion After Axel Springer Restructuring
Suspect Arrested: Utah Man in Custody for Charlie Kirk’s Fatal Shooting
In a politically motivated trial: Bolsonaro Sentenced to 27 Years for Plotting Coup After 2022 Defeat
German police raid AfD lawmaker’s offices in inquiry over Chinese payments
Turkish authorities seize leading broadcaster amid fraud and tax investigation
Volkswagen launches aggressive strategy to fend off Chinese challenge in Europe’s EV market
ChatGPT CEO signals policy to alert authorities over suicidal youth after teen’s death
The British legal mafia hit back: Banksy mural of judge beating protester is scrubbed from London court
Surpassing Musk: Larry Ellison becomes the richest man in the world
Embarrassment for Starmer: He fired the ambassador photographed on Epstein’s 'pedophile island'
Manhunt after 'skilled sniper' shot Charlie Kirk. Footage: Suspect running on rooftop during panic
Effective Protest Results: Nepal’s Prime Minister Resigns as Youth-Led Unrest Shakes the Nation
Qatari prime minister says Netanyahu ‘killed any hope’ for Israeli hostages
King Charles and Prince Harry Share First In-Person Moment in 19 Months
Starmer Establishes Economic ‘Budget Board’ to Centralise Policy and Rebuild Business Trust
France Erupts in Mass ‘Block Everything’ Protests on New PM’s First Day
Poland Shoots Down Russian Drones in Airspace Violation During Ukraine Attack
Brazilian police say ex-President Bolsonaro had planned to flee to Argentina seeking asylum
Trinidad Leader Applauds U.S. Naval Strike and Advocates Forceful Action Against Traffickers
Kim Jong Un Oversees Final Test of New High-Thrust Solid-Fuel Rocket Engine
Apple Introduces Ultra-Thin iPhone Air, Enhanced 17 Series and New Health-Focused Wearables
Macron Appoints Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister Amid Budget Crisis and Political Turmoil
Supreme Court temporarily allows Trump to pause billions in foreign aid
Charlie Sheen says his father, Martin Sheen, turned him in to the police: 'The greatest betrayal possible'
Vatican hosts first Catholic LGBTQ pilgrimage
Apple Unveils iPhone 17 Series, iPhone Air, Apple Watch 11 and More at 'Awe Dropping' Event
Pig Heads Left Outside Multiple Paris Mosques in Outrage-Inducing Acts
Nvidia’s ‘Wow’ Factor Is Fading. The AI chip giant used to beat Wall Street expectations for earnings by a substantial margin. That trajectory is coming down to earth.
France joins Eurozone’s ‘periphery’ as turmoil deepens, say investors
On the Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s Death: Prince Harry Returns to Britain
France Faces New Political Crisis, again, as Prime Minister Bayrou Pushed Out
Murdoch Family Finalises $3.3 Billion Succession Pact, Ensuring Eldest Son’s Leadership
Big Oil Slashes Jobs and Investments Amid Prolonged Low Crude Prices
Court Staff Cover Up Banksy Image of Judge Beating a Protester
Social Media Access Curtailed in Turkey After CHP Calls for Rallies Following Police Blockade of Istanbul Headquarters
Nayib Bukele Points Out Belgian Hypocrisy as Brussels Considers Sending Army into the Streets
Elon Musk Poised to Become First Trillionaire Under Ambitious Tesla Pay Plan
France, at an Impasse, Heads Toward Another Government Collapse
Burning the Minister’s House Helped Protesters to Win Justice: Prabowo Fires Finance Minister in Wake of Indonesia Protests
Brazil Braces for Fallout from Bolsonaro Trial by corrupted judge
The Country That Got Too Rich? Public Spending Dominates Norway Election
Nearly 40 Years Later: Nike Changes the Legendary Slogan Just Do It
×