Clegg outlines plans for first elections to Lords

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg vowed to bring the century-long process of Lords reform to its completion and make members of the second chamber directly accountable to the public.

Under proposals in the draft House of Lords Reform Bill its membership would be slashed to 300, with 80 per cent elected via the single transferable vote, a form of proportional representation.

The other 20 per cent of members, totalling 60, would be appointed and sit as crossbenchers. Church of England bishops would continue to sit in the Lords, although their numbers would be cut from 26 to 12.

But, faced with a wide range of views in the Commons and strong opposition in the Lords itself, Mr Clegg said the Government would be “open-minded” and “pragmatic” about the details.

The draft Bill was published alongside a White Paper containing different options for reform – including Mr Clegg’s preferred choice of a 100 per cent elected Lords – and both are to be scrutinised by a cross-party committee of MPs and peers.