PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE
House of Lords - 16 December 2025 (Commons/Commons Chamber)
Debate Detail
Contributions from Tom Gordon, are highlighted with a yellow border.
19:29:53
Tom Gordon
Harrogate and Knaresborough
Last week’s peerage list shows that the House of Lords is still used to reward loyalty, connections and convenience, all to the tune of £370 a day to the taxpayer. I am pleased to present this petition with the support of Liberal Democrat Councillor Graham Dixon.
The petition states:
The petition of residents of the United Kingdom,
Declares that the House of Lords, as an unelected second chamber, lacks the democratic legitimacy expected in a modern Parliament; and further declares that its continued reliance on appointments rather than elections undermines public confidence in the legislative process and weakens accountability within the UK’s democratic system.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to bring forward proposals to abolish the House of Lords in its current form and replace it with a fully elected second chamber, founded on clear democratic principles, accountable to the people it serves, and equipped to scrutinise legislation with transparency and legitimacy.
And the petitioners remain, etc.
[P003151]
The petition states:
The petition of residents of the United Kingdom,
Declares that the House of Lords, as an unelected second chamber, lacks the democratic legitimacy expected in a modern Parliament; and further declares that its continued reliance on appointments rather than elections undermines public confidence in the legislative process and weakens accountability within the UK’s democratic system.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to bring forward proposals to abolish the House of Lords in its current form and replace it with a fully elected second chamber, founded on clear democratic principles, accountable to the people it serves, and equipped to scrutinise legislation with transparency and legitimacy.
And the petitioners remain, etc.
[P003151]
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