Fact checkPoliticsPublished April 29, 2026
Media reports: “In 1999 most hereditary peers lost their right to sit in the House of Lords, with 92 remaining after a compromise with the Conservatives.”. Our verdict: True.

The claim

“In 1999 most hereditary peers lost their right to sit in the House of Lords, with 92 remaining after a compromise with the Conservatives.”

Media reportsNews reportApril 29, 2026Read the original

Background in coverage of the final day for hereditary peers in the House of Lords.

Our verdict

True

The House of Lords Act 1999 removed most hereditary peers; the Weatherill amendment, agreed with the Conservatives, kept 92.

What we found

Lord Irvine agreed the deal with the Conservative Lords leader Lord Cranborne. The 92 stayed until the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Act 2026 ended their seats at the close of the session on 29 April 2026. The claim is accurate.

The evidence

2 of 2 sources support the claim; none contradict it.

Contradict 0Support 2Background 0
  • Supports the claim

    The 1999 Act removed most hereditary peers; 92 remained under the Weatherill amendment. [1]

  • Supports the claim

    Behind the scenes of the 1999 deal between Labour and the Conservatives. [2]

How we checked

We checked the claim against History of Parliament, Wikipedia. We reviewed 2 relevant sources.

Sources

  1. [1]Wikipedia · House of Lords Act 1999
  2. [2]History of Parliament · 'A negative achievement': Behind the scenes of the House of Lords Act 1999

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