Following yesterday's events, seven new Lords are strolling into parliament for life as two MPs saunter out. What connects all of yesterday's events is the corrupting power of First Past the Post on our nation, institutions and politicians.
Boris Johnson’s resignation list demonstrates just how discredited and partisan the honours system has become.
It is clear that any restraint has collapsed when it comes to the honours system, and it has no place in a modern democracy. It’s time to end this rotten system of patronage and replace the unelected Lords with a smaller elected chamber, where the people of this country - not former prime ministers - choose who shape the laws we all live under.
Add your name to our call for a smaller elected chamber →
The extra new peers being stuffed into the bloated second chamber mean that Mr Johnson has personally created more than 70 new lifetime appointments to the Lords, which already has around 800 members. Our polling found that 61% of British people were opposed to these appointments, but the the British people have to say.
