PRIME MINISTER Theresa May has shelved plans to appoint a dozen new Conservative peers after an opinion poll found that around 60 per cent of both Labour and Tory voters oppose the proposals.

Polling also showed that nearly four in five voters believe the House of Lords is already too large. Labour would have been allowed three new peers under the mooted plans.

Campaigners dubbed Ms May’s retreat a “victory for voters” yesterday.

Electoral Reform Society chief executive Darren Hughes said: “There is overwhelming opposition to any new peerages.

“Adding yet more lords would not only cost the taxpayer a fortune. It would be an insult to voters who deserve legislators who are accountable.

“After coming under huge pressure, Theresa May appears to have done the right thing.

“Rather than delaying these appointments, the government must now confirm they will not be packing the unelected chamber with any more lords.”