Jack Straw shelves reform of the House of Lords

Plans to end 1,000 years of Parliamentary history by shaking up the House of Lords have been shelved until after the next general election.

Jack Straw last night unveiled controversial proposals to create a 'senate', with the number of peers cut from 748 to no more than 450 - a loss of nearly 300.

Under the plans, at least 80 per cent would be elected and serve terms of between 12 and 15 years. Several would represent cities and counties.

Bishops, seen by many as the spiritual compass of the nation, would be sidelined.

Mr Straw said there would be no place for them in a fully elected House of Lords although they would be represented if it was part-elected. The 92 remaining hereditary peers would be ousted.

The Justice Secretary, however, told the Commons that any change would take place after the next general election - which may not be held until 2010.

Former Cabinet minister Peter Hain expressed disappointment about the pace of change, adding: 'There is no justification for not putting the Bill in the next session.'

Mr Straw unveiled the proposals in a White Paper after cross-party talks over the future of the upper house. The complicated process of reform has been under way since Labour came to power in 1997.

Mr Straw insisted that the White Paper would be put to voters as a manifesto commitment at the next general election.

He said it represented 'a significant step on the road to reform'.

However, whenever they are put to Parliament, the proposals will meet fierce opposition from peers. And the question of how to actually reduce the size of the Lords will prove a headache.