![\"Parliament\"](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/27C5\/production\/_127918101_gettyimages-560530545.jpg.webp)
<\/picture><\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThe House of Lords could be abolished if Labour wins the next election.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The Lords chamber is centuries old, and replacing it would represent a huge change to the UK’s political system. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The House of Lords is part of the UK Parliament. Also known as the Upper Chamber, it is independent from the House of Commons – where Members of Parliament (MPs) debate and vote on new laws.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Members of the Lords are called “peers”. Like MPs, they also scrutinise the work of government and recommend changes to proposed legislation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Unlike MPs, however, peers are not elected. The majority are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n While many peers have worked in politics – including some former MPs – others are experts in areas such as science or the arts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Most peers stay in the Lords for life – although some decide to retire.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The Conservatives make up the largest group with 265 peers. There are 173 Labour peers, and 185 Crossbenchers – peers who are not affiliated to a particular party.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Most Lords are entitled to a \u00a3332 daily allowance<\/a> for each sitting day attended – although they can choose not to claim.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Some receive a salary – like the Lord Speaker and government ministers. Salaried peers cannot claim the daily allowance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Labour says the PM should not have the power to appoint peers, highlighting recent controversial appointments<\/a> such as businessman Peter Cruddas. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n It could have around 200 members from across the UK. However, the way they would be chosen – and how long they would serve – remains to be decided. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Sir Keir says the new system could be introduced within the first five years of a Labour government.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Labour will set out further details, including a timeframe, closer to the next election.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n There are currently 785 members of the House of Lords<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n Former Cabinet Minister Simon Clarke MP has called the plan “a terrible idea”.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n “Anyone who has looked at the institutionalised gridlock in US politics can see the utter stupidity it would be to create an elected upper house”.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Abolishing the Lords could also result in a loss of expertise, says Jess Sargeant from the Institute for Government think tank.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n “An appointments system can bring in experts – like former doctors and supreme court judges. There is some speculation about whether these sorts of people would be willing to stand in an election.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n If the new chamber’s members considered themselves more representative of the UK than MPs, there is a risk they may undermine the Commons by blocking new laws, adds Ms Sargeant. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWhat is the House of Lords?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/E6C9\/production\/_127918095_296395fd-469e-4031-8309-2613e23939c0-1.png.webp)
How many Lords are there?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
![\"Graph](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/4ED5\/production\/_127918102_v2bovptimised-hol_membership_since_1999-nc-003.png.webp)
Who sits in the House of Lords?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
\n
How much do Lords get paid?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
What could replace the House of Lords?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
![\"Peers](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/F9B0\/production\/_127902936_gettyimages-699151392.jpg.webp)
What are the problems with replacing the House of Lords?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
What happen in other countries?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
\n