British Peers reject reforms that propose elections

LONDON – British peers rejected reforms on Wednesday that would allow voters to elect members to the upper house of parliament, the House of Lords.

The Peers still face being overruled by parliamentarians in the House of Commons. Electing members of the Lords would end hundreds of years of tradition.The often empty upper parliamentary chamber was crowded on Wednesday, as nearly 500 peers squeezed onto the red leather benches, sat on steps, and stood in the aisles to record their votes.The House of Lords shares the same palace as the House of Commons, but is unelected, and includes bishops, earls, and judges.After three days of debate, the Peers rejected a vote last week by parliamentarians in the House of Commons, who called for a fully elected upper house.The vote was 361-121 to retain the tradition of having all of the members, or Peers, appointed.Peers also rejected the option of a half-elected, half-appointed upper chamber.Nampa-AFPElecting members of the Lords would end hundreds of years of tradition.The often empty upper parliamentary chamber was crowded on Wednesday, as nearly 500 peers squeezed onto the red leather benches, sat on steps, and stood in the aisles to record their votes.The House of Lords shares the same palace as the House of Commons, but is unelected, and includes bishops, earls, and judges.After three days of debate, the Peers rejected a vote last week by parliamentarians in the House of Commons, who called for a fully elected upper house.The vote was 361-121 to retain the tradition of having all of the members, or Peers, appointed.Peers also rejected the option of a half-elected, half-appointed upper chamber.Nampa-AFP