Harriett Baldwin calls for law change to reform 'sexist' House of Lords
Harriett Baldwin calls on the Government to support a rapid change in the law so that so that hereditary peerages go down through the first and oldest child, as the Crown does, rather than the oldest son.
Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con)
One of the most unequal workplaces in the land is the other place, where an eighth of the seats are reserved for men only. Will the Minister support a rapid change in the law, so that hereditary peerages go down through the first and oldest child, as the Crown does, rather than the oldest son?
Kemi Badenoch (The Minister for Equalities)
My hon. Friend is referring to the reform of succession to the hereditary peerage, to which I am sympathetic, but which raises a variety of complex issues. Various approaches have been proposed in both Houses to address the issue of male primogeniture for hereditary peerages, but there is not yet a consensus on the way forward. I am happy to work with her to look at the issue.