Today at 12:00, six individuals showered members of the House of Lords with 1,000 handbills and dropped a banner reading ‘PEOPLE IN – LORDS OUT’. from the viewing gallery. They were calling for a House of the People to completely replace the House of Lords, and inviting members of the public to take part in the inaugural House of the People in Summer 2025. [1] [2]
Ahead of the debate on the 75th Anniversary of the European Convention of Human Rights, they rained down 1,000 handbills of two different designs while unfurling the banner. The Speak of the House was heard to say: “We’ll adjourn for five minutes
The leaflets dropped today read:
“NO MORE LORDS
HOUSE OF THE PEOPLE NOW
HOUSEOFTHEPEOPLE.UK”
and
“NEVER MIND THE LORDS LETS HAVE A HOUSE OF THE PEOPLE
ARISTOCRATS & OLIGARCHS: OUT
POSTIES, MUMS, NURSES, AND NEIGHBOURS: IN
REPLACE THE HOUSE OF LORDS TO SAVE THE UK”
Today’s action has been taken in support of the abolition of the House of Lords in favour of a House of the People – a new institution where any adult in the UK may be selected to serve, like a jury, to set the political agenda and balance the House of Commons. This action mirrors one undertaken by Suffragettes on October 28th 1908, where they took direct action by raining handbills onto the House of Commons, demanding suffrage for women in the UK.
Christina Jenkins, 31, a care worker from Cwmbran is one of those who took action today. She said:
“We need a People’s House, not a house of wealthy elites. Lords: give up your seat! How can we a real democracy when we’re only given the chance to vote once every five years? Even then, so many people don’t vote because their voices still go unheard.”
“Whether it’s the spiralling cost of living crisis, insecure housing, wars or the climate crisis, you don’t have to look far to see the symptoms of a broken political system. We need to hand the power back to the people with participatory politics like citizens’ assemblies if we stand any chance of addressing the real issues facing Britain.”
An initial House of the People event is being organised by Assemble, the grassroots democracy campaign group. Bertie Coyle, 30, a spokesperson from this group said:
“What’s the big idea? For a House of the People to replace the House of Lords. Anyone in the UK can take part. It’s free and open to the public. It’s owned by everyone. It’s funded by our donations. It will fairly represent all groups in our society – but whisper that part, because the corporations who influence Parliament won’t like it one bit. Come to the welcome call on the 27th, or go to HouseOfThePeople.Uk to find out more.”
Árainn Justin Hawker, 53, a school leader from Langport also took action today. He said:
“I am taking action today because I believe British politics is broken and our democracy desperately needs renewal. The current system is dominated by corporate interestsand I see a “House of the People” as our best hope for change.”
A public-led institution like a House of the People will produce fairer, more effective, and more democratic outcomes than the existing parliamentary system, which is not fit for purpose. The recent election saw the lowest turnout and vote count for two decades, yet produced a prime minister with the strongest majority. Polls show that most British people are in favour of replacing the House of Lords, with a permanent rolling citizens’ assembly as the favourite alternative. [4] [5]
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Notes to Editors
[1] Assemble is part of the Umbrella movement which includes Just Stop Oil and Youth Demand. The group endorsed 26 independent candidates in the general election, including Shockat Adam and Andrew Feinstein.
The group is building a alternative home for the voice of the country, by inviting members of the public from all backgrounds and places to carefully consider the evidence and reach decisions on the biggest issues of our time, including the UK’s approach to the climate crisis, genocide, and poverty.
[2] https://timetoassemble.org/house-of-the-people/
[3] https://actionnetwork.org/events/house-of-the-people-launch-call
[4] https://www.sortitionfoundation.org/house_of_citizens_tops_public_poll_to_replace_the_house_of_lords
[5] https://www.sortitionfoundation.org/the_growing_trust_crisis_in_uk_politics