This In Focus briefing provides background information in advance of the second reading in the House of Lords of the Regulation of Political Opinion Polling Bill [HL] on 19 June 2015.
This Note outlines the proposals for reform of combined authorities and local authorities set out in the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill [HL].
This In Focus note examines the dangers faced by the growing numbers of migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean, and the British and European response.
This Library Note provides background information about the membership and age profile of the House of Lords, together with information on the public positions held by Members, as the House was composed on 30 March 2015—the date on which the 2010–15 Parliament was dissolved.
This Note sets out some of the ‘key issues’ that have been put forward as being important when a process of constitutional review or reform is being devised and briefly highlights examples of the different structures used during such processes both in the UK and around the world. The Note ends with an overview of the latest known positions of a selection of political parties represented in the current House of Commons on the case for holding a constitutional convention.
This Library Note provides background reading for Members in advance of the debate to be held on 5 March 2015 on 'Women’s Economic Empowerment both Nationally and Internationally'.
This Note discusses the development of retirement provisions in the House of Lords, and considers additional proposals put forward by forums such as that have been raised by the Leader’s Group on Member’s Leaving the House and the House of Commons Political and Constitutional Reform Select Committee (for example, the possibility of introducing a compulsory retirement age). The Note also contains brief analysis and information on the eight Members that have taken voluntary retirement so far.
The Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill would introduce time limited provisions to enable female diocesan bishops to be fast-tracked into the House of Lords as members of the Lords Spiritual. This Library Note provides a brief summary of the process by which English diocesan bishops are appointed to the House of Lords. It then discusses the provisions of the Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill and the Bill’s House of Commons Stages.
This Note will consider the background to the introduction of the Magna Carta and consider the influence the Magna Carta has had in the 800 years since its creation.