The British government's Bill on Lords reform will not spell out what happens next in the upper house. That was the major argument Conservatives had with the Bill. To bridge the gap between opposition and government and prevent a massive legislative logjam, and the possible use of the Parliament Act to bring in the measure, Lord Weatherill, a distinguished cross-bench (non-party) peer, stepped in. His deal, which is accepted by both government and opposition, will give the composition of the transitional house when he tables his amendment as the Bill passes through the Lords.
The Weatherill amendment would mean:
659 hereditary peers step down, probably this summer at the end of the parliamentary session.
91 hereditary peers remain, mostly elected by the peers themselves and reflecting the current balance of parties in the Lords.
This would leave an upper chamber of 215 Tories; 160 Labour; 48 Liberal Democrats; 148 cross-benchers.
The queen would then be asked to appoint sufficient life peers, 55, to make Labour equal in strength to the Conservatives. Downing Street said yesterday the exact number may be open to discussion.