BBC News | UK POLITICS | Lords reform proposals at a glance

A brief guide to the Wakeham Commission's 132 proposals for reforming the House of Lords

Commons remains the dominant body with no major extensions to the powers of a reformed second chamber
Prime minister's powers of patronage to end - independent appointment commission to choose members
It should not be possible for any one party to secure an overall majority in the new second chamber
550 members to sit in the new body
Between 65 and 195 elected members
Three proposals for choosing the elected membership, Model B, is the preferred choice of the commission
Model A - 65 members selected by using the results of a general election to see what proportion of seats should go to each region. One third of the regions would select members at each election.
Model B - 87 regional members to be directly elected at the same time as the European elections by proportional representation. Open list system prefered with the election by thirds.
Model C - 195 regional members directly elected by thirds using open list system - elections to run at the same time as Euro elections.
Members elected for 15 years - with the option for a second term
All faiths to be represented
Members paid according to attendance
At least 30% of the new body should be female, and 20% should be crossbenchers with "fair" representation for ethnic minority groups
Current Life peers should be able to sit in the new body, or not, as they wish
Present judicial role to continue
New committees to look at treaties, EU affairs, human rights and the constitution


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