Constitution Archives

Research Briefing

Debate on Day One of the 2015 Queen’s Speech: Foreign Affairs, Defence, EU and International Development

Thursday, 21 May, 2015

This Briefing provides background information on the issues of Foreign Affairs, Defence, EU and International Development, prepared in advance of the first day of debate on the Queen’s Speech on 28 May 2015. This briefing has been prepared in advance of the Queen’s Speech based on commitments contained in the Conservative party’s manifesto and speculative reports about what legislative proposals may be included; it does not constitute official information about the Government’s intentions or provide a complete list of bills to be announced. This pack is one of five, prepared to cover each day of debate on the Queen’s Speech in the House of Lords.
Research Briefing

House of Lords Reform 2010–15

Wednesday, 25 March, 2015

This Note provides a summary of the proposals for reform of the House of Lords that were made during the 2010–15 parliament.
Research Briefing

Constitutional Conventions: Possible Options in the New Parliament

Friday, 20 March, 2015

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.
- Research Briefing
- Parliament
Research Briefing

Principal Office Holders in the House of Lords

Thursday, 19 March, 2015

This Library Note provides a short overview of the role and functions of some of the key office holders in the House of Lords.
Research Briefing

Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill (HL Bill 87 of 2014–15)

Tuesday, 03 February, 2015

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.
Research Briefing

A Brief History of the Magna Carta

Thursday, 29 January, 2015

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.
- Research Briefing
- Parliament
Research Briefing

Enabling Economic Leadership for Cities

Monday, 08 December, 2014

On 11 December 2014, the House of Lords is scheduled to debate the following motion: “that this House takes note of the case for enabling economic leadership for cities”.
Research Briefing

Debate on 29 October 2014: Devolution Following the Scotland Referendum

Thursday, 23 October, 2014

This Library Note provides background reading for the debate in the House of Lords on 29 October 2014 on devolution following the Scottish independence referendum, which took place on 18 September 2014.
Research Briefing

Understanding and Sourcing Political Opinion Polls

Friday, 08 August, 2014

This Library Note provides an overview of contemporary political opinion polls.
- Research Briefing
- Parliament
Research Briefing

Polling Data on the Scottish Independence Referendum

Friday, 08 August, 2014

This Library Note—an update to a previous Note published on 23 June 2014—focuses on public opinion polling data in relation to the Scottish independence referendum.
Research Briefing

Wales Bill (HL Bill 34 of 2014–15)

Wednesday, 16 July, 2014

The Wales Bill would provide for a range of measures in three key areas. The first is elections to the National Assembly for Wales, where the Bill would alter the length of the electoral term and rules on candidacy. Secondly, the Bill would make provision with regard to a number of financial matters, including the devolution of some tax-raising powers to the Welsh Assembly. Thirdly, the Bill would make provision with regard to housing revenue account debt in Wales, and to adjust the relationship between Welsh Ministers and the Law Commission.
Research Briefing

Referendum on Scottish Independence

Thursday, 19 June, 2014

On 18 September 2014, Scotland will hold a referendum on whether it should be an independent country. This Library Note updates a previous Library Note, published on 27 January 2014, on the subject of the possible consequences of a ‘Yes’ vote. The Note aims to provide broad discussion of some of the main issues raised in connection with the subject, and lists possible sources for further reading.
Research Briefing

Hereditary Peers in the House of Lords: 1999 to 2014

Thursday, 27 March, 2014

The House of Lords Act 1999 ended the centuries-old linkage between the hereditary peerage and membership of the House of Lords. The majority of hereditary Peers left the House of Lords in November 1999, but under a compromise arrangement, 92 of their number, known as ‘excepted’ hereditary Peers still sit in the House today.
Research Briefing

Britain and the First World War: Parliament, Empire and Commemoration

Monday, 24 March, 2014

The centenary of the start of the First World War will be marked in 2014. Britain entered the conflict in August 1914 and remained at war until November 1918.
Research Briefing

Second Chambers

Monday, 10 March, 2014

This Library Note looks at bicameral legislatures in other parts of the world and provides an overview of some of the features of other second chambers, and how these compare to the current House of Lords.

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