U.K. drops Lords reform plan

A government- instigated report had earlier suggested measures to limit the powers of the Lords

The British government has dropped controversial plans to introduce reforms that would limit the powers of the House of Lords, in a surprising move that could become relevant next year, should the U.K. move forward with Brexit.

Government representatives in both Houses of Parliament confirmed that the government would not be taking forward recommendations made in an official report last year that would have limited the Lords ability to reject secondary legislation. Secondary legislation allows the government to make changes to the law using existing Acts of Parliament.

Lord Strathclyde had presented the government of former Prime Minister David Cameron with three options for limiting the power of the Lords earlier this year. It was a response to last year’s defeat in the House of Lords of government plans to cut working tax credits, going against the “Salisbury Convention” that means that Peers don’t try to vote against the second or third reading of a government bill mentioned in the party’s election manifesto.

Thursday’s move is widely seen as an attempt by the government to smooth relations with the Upper House ahead of key parliamentary debate that would take place next year on or around the triggering of Article 50. The House of Lords would be relevant both to the Great Repeal Law the government would need to pass, converting EU laws to British ones, as well as the triggering of Article 50.

Nathalie Evans, the Leader of the House of Lords, told Peers that the government was reliant on their “discipline and self-regulation”. With the Brexit-related legislation likely to come before Parliament next year, that “constructive approach” would be ever more important, she added.

Angela Smith, the Lords’ Leader of the Opposition, welcomed the move but insisted that it was not about the primacy of the House of Commons over the unelected Upper House but about the “primacy of government.” “We will not block, we will not delay but a government without a plan will not have a blank check.”

“The House of Lords is one of the cornerstones of our democracy and we will always review, scrutinise, debate, and challenge the government. It’s our job to do that as objectively as possible” said Karan Bilimoria, the chair of Cobra Beer and Cross Bench Member of the House of Lords.

“There will be hundreds of issues coming up over the years and the House of Lords cannot be hampered from carrying out its vital role for the country.”