Andy Burnham, the incoming prime minister, is reportedly preparing proposals to appoint metro mayors to the House of Lords as part of a broader effort to make the Upper Chamber more representative of the United Kingdom’s nations and regions. According to multiple sources, Burnham plans to announce devolution reforms early in his tenure, which could include the cross-party appointment of indirectly elected metro mayors to the Lords.

This initiative is intended as an initial step toward what Burnham envisions as a comprehensive overhaul of the House of Lords. He has long supported transforming the chamber into a Senate of Regions and Nations, a concept expected to be developed further with input from Sue Gray, former chief of staff to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. Although Gray was anticipated to take a formal position as the Prime Minister’s envoy to the nations and regions after leaving Downing Street in October 2024, that role never materialized. She is, however, believed to be advising Burnham informally on shared policy interests.

The proposed appointments would coincide with the establishment of additional mayoralties across the country, a process that would require new legislation. Burnham has previously expressed his support for early reforms to the Lords, telling The House magazine last month that indirect election linked to a general election should be adopted without delay.

Despite the plans being described by allies as a priority, there are concerns within political circles about the timing and scale of the reforms. Critics note that such significant constitutional changes were not part of Labour’s 2024 election manifesto, and advancing them could divert attention and political capital away from other key elements of the government’s legislative agenda.

The introduction of metro mayors as Lords members represents a potential shift towards greater regional representation in the UK’s unelected chamber, aligning with broader Labour ambitions for devolution. However, the practicalities of implementing these proposals—including securing cross-party support and passing the requisite legislation—remain key challenges for Burnham’s administration moving forward.