Bloated Lords

SIR – Jacob Rees-mogg suggests packing the House of Lords with 200 new peers to force through Brexit legislation (report, January 19).

If the Prime Minister were to do this, the red benches would be occupied by a staggering total of 994 peers. With each peer costing £83,000 per year, this would drain nearly £17million from the public purse in additional allowances and expenses every year.

The problem runs deeper than that, however. The ability to stuff the already bloated chamber with “lobby fodder” Lords merely proves that it is not fit for purpose. If we truly want a revising chamber fit for the 21st century – one that genuinely acts in the interests of voters – it must be fully and fairly elected. Darren Hughes

Chief Executive,

The Electoral Reform Society London SE1