An MP is urging significant changes in the House of Lords following an investigation by the Mirror revealing that 109 peers may face expulsion if new attendance rules are sanctioned. Among the notable figures at risk are former Prime Minister David Cameron, ex-deputy PM Michael Heseltine, former chancellor Philip Hammond, ex-Scottish Conservative Party leader Ruth Davidson, and former London mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith.

The proposed rules require members to attend a minimum of 20% of sitting days, potentially impacting well-known individuals like Alan Sugar, Ian Botham, and Evgeny Lebedev, who had low attendance rates in recent recorded sittings.

Pete Wishart, SNP Shadow Leader of the House of Commons, advocates for more extensive reforms, criticizing the unelected nature of the House of Lords and calling for its abolition. He highlights the need for a democratic and accountable second chamber in the UK’s legislative system.

The debate on Lords reform intensifies as Lord George Foulkes supports the attendance threshold increase, emphasizing the importance of active participation and contribution from peers. The proposal aims to address concerns over low attendance rates among members, including high-profile figures like Mervyn King, Kim Darroch, Waheed Alli, and Eluned Morgan.

The House of Lords Retirement and Participation Committee recommends raising the attendance threshold to 20% of sitting days and imposing a retirement age cap of 80. These measures aim to ensure the effective functioning of the House and address issues of non-attendance and aging membership. The government is considering these recommendations as part of its commitment to reforming the House of Lords.

The proposed reforms signal a shift towards a more accountable and efficient second chamber, aligning with calls for a modern and democratic legislative system in the UK.