Good Chaps and Guardrails: Backstopping Democracy with a Reverse Salisbury Convention for the House of Lords

Abstract The ‘good chaps’ theory of government relies on officeholders understanding and adhering to implicit lines preventing corruption and abuse of power. Boris Johnson's prime ministership showed some weaknesses in this approach. Recent global experience, especially with the re‐election of Donald Trump, suggests the UK may need stronger backstops against democratic backsliding. Surveying options for democratic defence in advance of future crises, I argue that the House of Lords should publicly commit to using their suspensory veto against anti‐democratic measures. This would be a promise that the Lords will not acquiesce in undermining democracy, effectively the reverse of the Salisbury convention's promise not to obstruct government bills. Principles and implementation difficulties are discussed, along with the limitations and ironies that would arise.