The lower House of Commons broke years of deadlock over how to reform the unelected House of Lords, calling for members to be... The vote could have far-reaching consequences for British politics. The House of Commons has traditionally held sway over British politics and can override objections from the House of Lords, seen by many Britons as an anachronism. The authority the Lords would gain from being elected could enable them to challenge the Commons -- a fear expressed by some members of the lower house. Blair, expected to step down in July after a decade in office in favour of the Chancellor of the Chequer Gordon Brown, began the process of reforming the Lords soon after taking power. He threw out 90 percent of the hereditary peers -- more than 600 -- who dominated the chamber because of their land rights, leaving a token number of aristocrats sitting next to appointed members.
