By BBC News online's Nick Assinder.

Lord Richard was a surprise move in Tony Blair's reshuffle, with suggestions that he was less than pleased at being dropped.

The 66-year-old former European Commissioner has a long history in the Labour Party and has been its leader in the Lords since 1992.

Lord Richard: Elevated in 1990

He won his first election for Labour in 1964 and was elevated to the Lords under the Tory government in 1990.

He has not attracted great criticism in his role as leader, but the Lords is facing a crucial time.

The government is committed to reforming the upper chamber, first by abolishing hereditary peers' right to vote.

But pressure for more wide-ranging reforms has intensified in the wake of a series of revolts against government policy in the Lords.

Peers have challenged the government 30 times - most crucially over plans to reform student finances and to reduce the age of consent for homosexuals to 16.

It is thought the prime minister wants a younger, more 'Blairite' leader in the Lords, who can push forward reforms and keep Labour peers in line.