What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Ten aristocrats will today compete for a seat in the British Parliament - and just 31 aristocrats will decide who wins.

Welcome to the world's most elitist election, where every candidate is male and has a family title won by his ancestors.

The only people who can vote are 31 members of the gentry in the House of Lords.

And the winner can have a part in making your laws for the rest of his life.

The jaw-dropping situation is known as a hereditary peer by-election.

They are a bizarre hangover from Tony Blair ’s attempts to modernise the House of Lords.

When the ex-Labour PM mostly abolished inherited peerages 1999, he agreed to let 92 of them stay in the House of Lords as a compromise.

That means when one of them dies or retires, the peers that got booted out get first refusal on his or (very rarely) her seat.

The retirement of Lord Robert Horatio Walpole leaves just such a vacancy, and today there will be a by-election to choose his successor.

The lucky winner will get to claim a £300-a-day allowance, entry to the what has been described as the best retirement home in Britain and the right to shape and vote on the laws of the land.

The election is to replace a "crossbench" peer - Lords who sit as a group independent from the political parties.

That means hereditary peers of any party (or none) can apply for the seat - but only the current Crossbench hereditary peers can vote.

Here's a roundup of the aristocrats on one of the most exclusive job shortlists in the country.

1. 2nd Baron Aldington, of Bispham in the County Borough of Blackpool

Title created: 1962

Age: 69

Education: Winchester College

Who? Charles Low, son of Lord Toby Low, who once successfully sued Nikolai Tolstoy for libel, winning £2 million.

What he says: “Concerns, where I might have something to contribute, are young people, Brexit negotiations, innovation and regional policies, and funding for arts, universities and health. “

2. 3rd Baron Cadman, of Silverdale in the County of Stafford

Title created: 1937

Age: 79

Education: Harrow

Who? John Anthony Cadman, 2nd Baron Cadman. Son of John Cadman a mining tycoon. Former farmer and restauranteer. Stood unsuccessfully in the last election to be a Conservative peer

What he says: Nothing. He didn't submit a manifesto.

3. 3rd Baron Darling, of Langham in the County of Essex

Title created: 1924

Age: 73

Education: Wellington College

Who? Robert Julian Henry Darling. A director at Nuffield Farming, housing surveyor and prison visitor.

What he says: "Wide experience of business and the professions, the charitable and voluntary sectors."

4. 4th Baron Hayter, of Chislehurst in the County of Kent

Title created: 1927

Age: 73

Education: Marlborough College

Who? George Chubb, heir to the Chubb locks business. He left the family firm after it was bought out in 1984. He later set up his own firm manufacturing hotel door locks.

What he says: "I am a parish councillor, classical guitarist, sculptor and gardener. My father was a Deputy Speaker and I would be proud to follow in his footsteps."

5. 6th Baron Hemphill, of Rathkenny and Cashel in the County of Tipperary

Title created: 1906

Age: 62

Education: Downside School

Who? Charles Andrew Martin Martyn-Hemphill, a former director of Morgan Grenfell Asset Management and son of Peter Patrick Fitzroy Martyn Hemphill, who was instrumental in the development of horse racing as an industry in Ireland.

What he says: "My aim is to be an active Crossbencher. The Brexit process will require extensive work under time pressure. In this matter and others, I offer energy, insights, time and scrutiny."

6. 9th Viscount Hill, of Hawkestone and Hardwicke in the County of Shropshire

Title created: 1842

Age: 71

Education: Tabley house school, Knutsford

Who? Peter David Raymond Charles Clegg-Hill. A retired farmer. Opulent Hawkstone Hall was in his family for three centuries, until the 3rd Viscount Hill frittered away the family fortune and had to flog it. He now lives in a four bedroom ex-council house in Crawley.

What he says: " I wish to come and give my support for Brexit . I have been in farming."

7. 7th Baron Mostyn , of Mostyn in the County of Flint

(Image: Daily Post WS)

Title created: 1831

Age: 32

Education: Eton

Who? Real name: Gregory Philip Roger Lloyd-Mostyn. Currently director of Mostyn Estates and runs Mostyn Hall. He's a relative youngster and a very rich man with an estate worth £48million. His dad featured on the Sunday Times Rich List. In 2014 he was the 13th richest person aged under 30 in the UK.

What he says: "Being only 32 years old, I can bring some youth to the House. I can also speak for the underrepresented northwest of England and Wales as I am located in north Wales. I have years of experience in local businesses as I run an estate that covers much of Wales.

"I am also very involved in local charities, being patron of many organisations; and I have knowledge of key job sectors having previously worked in them."

8. 11th Viscount Powerscourt of Powerscourt in the County of Wicklow

Title created: 1743

Age: 54

Education: Sibford School

Who? Real name - Mervyn Anthony Wingfield. He is a registered counsellor and has worked with many charities, including the Samaritans and MIND.

What he says: "Concerns: Mental health and family wellbeing. Prevention and early intervention of family breakdown. Parity between mental and physical health."

9. 3rd Baron Somerleyton, of Somerleyton in the County of Suffolk

Title created: 1916

Age: 45

Education: Eton

Who? Real name is Hugh Francis Savile Crossley. He is the 4th Baron Somerleyton. He has a wife called Lara Bailey and has three children and lives in stately Somerleyton Hall, part of a 5,000 acre estate.

He is an entrepreneur - owns Fritton Arms and Dukes Head pubs, Fritton House Hotel and restaurant and a restaurant in Norwich.

He also owns a chain of upmarket chip shops called Hot Chip. Dated former beau of Prince William, Jecca Craig.

(He's a hot chip above the rest...)

What he says: "I think the hereditary peerage worth preserving. In a time of great uncertainty, its principle creates a sense of underrated commitment to the welfare of the nation. 20 years’ experience and entrepreneurship in hospitality; in East Anglia 12 years’ practical experience of rural affairs, agriculture, environment, tourism and housing.

"Special interests include rewilding movement and animal welfare, Middle Eastern affairs/sustainable justice for Palestinians. I would make a distinctive contribution in these areas as a liberal pro-European Crossbencher."

10. 12th Baron Vaux of Harrowden

Title created: 1523

Age: 52

Education: Ampleforth College

Who? Real name - Richard Hubert Gordon Gilbey. Married Elizabeth Francis Worseley and has two children. Businessman and chartered accountant. Runner up in the last crossbench by-election.

What he says: "For 15 years held senior positions in the technology sector, covering public sector, education and financial services, latterly as global head of corporate development for a $5bn US group. Interests in renewable energy, farming and Scotland. I am able to and would intend to contribute fully."