Downing Street has defended the “normal practice” of prime ministers recommending individuals for peerages, following reports that Sir Keir Starmer could pack the House of Lords with 19 new Labour peers, reports BritPanorama.
The Times has indicated that Number 10 is preparing to announce nominations for the unelected chamber just days before the Prime Minister departs office.
Per the newspaper’s account, Labour is anticipated to receive 19 new peers, while the Conservatives are allocated four and the Liberal Democrats five.
If confirmed, this would bring the total number of peers appointed by Sir Keir to 135 since he took office two years ago, according to The Times.
Labour has previously accused the Conservatives of having “stuffed” the red benches during their time in power, which has enabled them to obstruct the government’s legislative agenda while in opposition.
Prior to the 2024 general election, Sir Keir advocated for the abolition of the House of Lords, asserting that honours should be based on “public service not Tory cronies.”
His forthcoming list would require approval from the House of Lords appointments commission.
In government, the Administration passed the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Act 2026, which ended the practice of hereditary peers securing seats by virtue of their family lineage.
In response to inquiries regarding the upcoming nominations, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman stated: “I’m not going to comment on that speculation. More broadly, it’s normal practice for prime ministers to recommend individuals for peerages.”
He added, “But this Government has already delivered on its commitment to remove the right of hereditary peers to sit and vote in the House of Lords, and that represents a significant constitutional reform.”
The official also noted that ministers are “exploring further reform in the form of a participation requirement and retirement age.”
The size of the House remains a contentious issue, with ongoing demands to reduce its membership, which currently totals 774 compared to the 650 MPs.
Currently, the Conservatives are the largest party in the Lords with 246 peers, while Labour holds 216. There are also 156 crossbench peers and 74 from the Liberal Democrats.
