Labour to throw hereditary peers out of the Lords – but not the bar

HEREDITARY peers will be allowed to enjoy Parliament’s subsidised bars and restaurants when they are expelled by Labour under plans being considered by the party.

Sir Keir Starmer intends to abolish all hereditary peers in the first term of a Labour government if he wins the general election this year.

But Lords cast out of the upper chamber would be able to keep their parliamentary passes, allowing them to come and go on the estate and meaning they could still access heavily discounted catering and retail outlets.

Labour remains committed to the complete abolition of the House of Lords but this is not expected to take place within a single parliament and the party would instead focus on “significant reform” in its first term.

A party insider told the Financial Times: “The crucial thing is ending the anachronism of hereditary peers enjoying a role as legislators of the realm by dint of their aristocratic birthright.

“They can keep their passes to Parliament – we’re not bothered about that.”

This would give hereditary peers the same privilege as former MPS, who are allowed to turn up at Parliament and enjoy its subsidised facilities.

House of Commons accounts show that taxpayers spent £6.4 million effectively subsidising the cost of food and drink for MPS, peers and other parliamentary passholders in 2022-23.

A Labour spokesman said: “Labour will abolish the House of Lords to ensure the UK’S second chamber better reflect our regions and nations.”

Labour sources insisted no final decisions have been made and declined to speculate about the Lords abolition schedule.

‘The crucial thing is ending the anachronism of hereditary peers being legislators of the realm’