In the headlines
Keir Starmer has formally unveiled proposals to replace the House of Lords with an elected chamber, describing the centuries-old institution as “indefensible”. The Labour leader was speaking ahead of the launch of a constitutional review written by former PM Gordon Brown, which recommends transferring power away from Westminster. An “Arctic chill” is set to hit Britain, says Sky News, with temperatures predicted to fall as low as -8C in parts of Scotland and Wales by Wednesday. The cold snap is expected to last a week. This year’s top cracker joke has been revealed. In a poll by the TV channel Gold, the winner was: “What type of peas ruin Christmas dinner? MPs.” Also shortlisted: “Why are Will Smith and Chris Rock not having turkey this Christmas? Because they’ve got beef.” Read the full selection here.