In a plan being devised by the UK government, the country’s House of Lords could be abolished.

Justice Secretary Jack Straw has begun consulting his cabinet colleagues for their opinions on revolutionary changes to the House of Lords that could see it replaced with an upper house full of elected politicians.

The plans would end centuries of tradition and make the system of electing an upper house similar to that in Australia and the United States.

A proportional representation system would be used, with one third of the chamber being elected at a time.

The 700-year-old House of Lords has about 740 members, none of whom are elected.

Most obtained their upper house seat in parliament upon an appointment by the Queen on the recommendation of the prime minister or an appointments committee.

Others simply inherited the right to sit in the Lords because of their ancestry.

The plans are expected to be unveiled before Britons go to the polls for a general election, widely expected in early May.

In 1999 the Labour government removed most hereditary peers.

Ninety-two hereditary peers remain in the upper house, but all would lose their seats under Mr Straw's planned changes.