27 February 2009: Steel wills reform

House of Lords

Liberal Democrat peer and former Liberal Party leader Lord Steel urged the government to adopt his proposals for reform of the upper chamber.

Six months earlier, the government had published a White Paper on the subject, but many observers predicted that it would be difficult to pass legislation on the sweeping reforms that the government had in mind before the next general election.

So Lord Steel's plan was to carry out some "running repairs" to the Lords - for example, abolishing the current system of holding by-elections to replace hereditary peers when they die, allowing for the expulsion of peers who have seriously misbehaved, and permitting the retirement of peers who have reached "a certain age".

Although peers backed the bill in this second reading debate, it stands no chance of becoming law without the government's support.