A BID to phase out hereditary peers has been launched in the House of Lords.

Labour Peer Lord Grocott a life peer, wants to stop replacing Lords who get their seat because they inherit a title from their father.

His plan if accepted would mean that when one of the 92 hereditary peers dies or retires they are not replaced and their numbers would eventually reduce to zero.

The move is backed by the Electoral Reform Society who said the system of hereditary peers is out of date and undemocratic.

Willie Sullivan Senior director at ERS said: “The House of Lords in its entirety is an affront to democracy – with the public currently having no say over who fills its famous red benches. But continued presence of hereditary peers is frankly beyond the pale.

“All but one of them are men who owe their peerage to the family into which they were born, rather than to a truly democratic vote. Time and time again voters are astonished that this absurd situation is allowed to continue.”

A similar Bill was attempted before but was narrowly blocked in the Lords despite having cross party support.

Mr Sullivan added: "The entire system is ludicrous. It is a farce which must be brought to an end, and we hope that peers from all parties will back this Bill."