This Library Note provides a chronology of key developments in the reform of the House of Lords since 1900.
House of Lords Reform: Chronology 1900-2010 (342KB PDF)
This Library Note provides a chronology of key developments in the reform of the House of Lords since 1900. It does not provide a comprehensive account of all reform proposals, but briefly summarises the context and outcome of significant proposals for reform of the composition and powers of the House in order to illustrate the shifting debate on the Lords over the last century. More detailed chronologies of recent reform proposals may be found in House of Lords Library Notes ‘Proposals for Reform of the Composition and Powers of the House of Lords, 1968–1998’ (July 1998, LLN 98/004) and ‘House of Lords Reform 1997–2010: A Chronology’ (June 2010, LLN 2010/015).
House of Lords Reform: Chronology 1900-2010 (342KB PDF)
The House of Lords (Alternative Second Chamber Bill) [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru). It would require the secretary of state to carry out a consultation regarding proposals for replacing the House of Lords with an alternative second chamber. The bill specifies whom the secretary of state would be required to consult with and the timeframe of that consultation.
![House of Lords (Alternative Second Chamber) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 11 of 2026–27](https://lordslibrary-parliament.studio24.dev/content/uploads/sites/2/2020/09/House-of-Lords-568x426.png)
The bill is a government bill that would make a range of changes to the legal framework concerning elections, including extending the franchise for UK parliamentary elections and other reserved elections to 16- and 17-year-olds. The bill was amended during both its committee and report stages in the House of Commons, with many of the government’s later amendments implementing recommendations from the Rycroft review on countering foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics.
Social media and other technologies have made it easier, quicker and cheaper for foreign powers to spread false information online aimed at undermining UK democracy. Such disinformation campaigns are one type of interference operation. In parallel, researchers have noted a link between declining public trust and societal polarisation, which can be exacerbated by online discourse. This briefing provides introductory reading to these issues, including recent reports and government announcements.
