Winning the debate on Lords reform, 2003-2007

In 2003, House of Lords reform was dealt a severe blow when the House of Commons voted down 6 possible options for House of Lords reform, as well as rejecting a fully appointed option.  Many believed that the prospect of making further progress on the issue had been lost for a generation.

Elect the Lords was set up in 2004 by Unlock Democracy’s predecessor organisations Charter 88 and the New Politics Nework to campaign for a predominantly or wholly elected second chamber to replace the existing House of Lords at the earliest opportunity.  It was bolstered by the "cash for peerages" scandal which erupted in 2006.

The campaign was fought largely by encouraging members of the public to write to their MPs to demand they support Lords reform.  Supporters were encouraged to raise funds by purchasing "virtual peerages".

The House of Commons voted to further explore the options of an 80% elected and wholly elected second chamber, ruling out all other options, in 2007.