EVICTING the last remaining hereditary peers from the House of Lords is “essential,” a Labour minister insisted today.

Cabinet Office Minister Ellie Reeves made the remarks as she moved the third reading of the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill, which will “remove the right of people to sit and make laws in our legislature by virtue of an accident of birth.”

Ms Reeves told Parliament: “In the 21st century it cannot be right for there to be places in our legislature reserved for those born into certain families.”

Labour’s manifesto had proposed the changes as a “first step” before “replacing the House of Lords with an alternative second chamber that is more representative of the regions and nations.”

Challenging Ms Reeves on that commitment, former Tory minister Sir Gavin Williamson asked: “I just wonder why [Ms Reeves] is so scared to take on more bold suggestions to deliver her manifesto?”

Ms Reeves told the house: “Those on the benches opposite had 14 years to bring around reform of the House of Lords if that’s what they wanted to do.

“Instead this government is taking an immediate first step on the road to reform.”

The debate continued as the Morning Star went to press.