Keir Starmer has long advocated for the abolition of the House of Lords, a pledge central to his 2020 leadership campaign. This promise to dismantle the unelected second chamber and replace it with a more democratic system was a bold move, aimed at addressing deep-seated issues of inequality and unaccountability in British politics. However, as the years have passed, this ambitious pledge seems to have been significantly diluted, raising questions about Starmer's commitment to radical reform and the Labour Party's ability to follow through on its promises once again.

Initially, Starmer's stance appeared resolute. He repeatedly reaffirmed his commitment to abolish the House of Lords, including a notable reaffirmation in November 2022 (Sources). This strong rhetoric suggested that Labour was serious about overhauling one of the UK's most antiquated institutions. Yet, as time went on, cracks began to show in this seemingly steadfast position.

In June last year, a spokesperson for Starmer hinted at a shift in Labour's approach, suggesting that the party might appoint new peers to the chamber, a move that seemed contradictory to the abolition pledge. This was further compounded by Labour's Shadow Leader of the House, Thangam Debbonaire, who admitted in 2023 that the plans to abolish the Lords were likely to be delayed, acknowledging that constitutional change is a slow and draining process. More recent reports have indicated that the plan has been postponed indefinitely, and the focus has shifted to "interim reform" rather than outright abolition.

This watering down of the pledge is more than just a political maneuver; it reflects a broader issue within Labour's strategy and vision. It raises doubts about the party's capacity to implement substantial reforms and follow through on its promises...

SOURCES

1st Video: Keir Starmer sets out plans to abolish the House of Lords (2022) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auqyCT3HPSM

2nd Video: Labour's plan to reform the House of Lords: Sir Chris Bryant declares HUGE constitutional change - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjihtNaRrMY

3. Labour plans to abolish House of Lords would take back seat ‘as we fix the country’, says Thangam Debbonaire - https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/labour-abolish-lords-fix-country-thangam-debbonaire-2434887

4. Keir Starmer’s Ten Pledges - https://www.clpd.org.uk/resource/keir-starmer-10-pledges/