In Focus
Common law long provided that peers of parliament could not vote in general elections. In the last 25 years, this has been put on a statutory footing and peers who are members of the House of Lords remain barred from voting. This briefing explores how this came to be and looks at recent attempts to change this disenfranchisement.
Data dashboard
This dashboard presents interactive data about the business of the House and length of sittings during parliamentary sessions.
In Focus
The mace is a staff of office symbolising the authority of the sovereign in Parliament. A mace is carried to the Lords and the Commons chambers in a procession at the beginning and end of each sitting day. In the Lords, it rests on the woolsack behind the lord speaker during proceedings. As is the case in the Commons, the Lords may not conduct business in the chamber whilst it is not present. But where did this custom and tradition come from and are maces found in other parliaments?
In Focus
In 1928, Parliament passed legislation that set the date of Easter on “the first Sunday after the second Saturday in April”. This was subject to an order in council that specified that, before any commencement order, “regard” be given to “any opinion officially expressed by any church or other Christian body”. The act has never been commenced. It remains on the statute book. This briefing delves into the Hansard archives to find that 25 years ago the House debated the merits of bringing that act into force.
Data dashboard
What have been the largest ever votes in the House of Lords? This briefing provides a list of divisions since 1999 where 500 or more members have voted.
In Focus
The Arbitration Bill [HL], currently before the House of Lords, is an example of a Law Commission bill. But what are Law Commission bills, what procedures apply to this category of proposed legislation and how else may proposals from the Law Commission reach the statute book? This briefing provides an overview.
In Focus
Seating in the House of Lords is defined by precedence and tradition. Tudor laws laid the groundwork for the layout of the current chamber. However, changes to the makeup of the membership and roles in the House have affected how the chamber has been used over time. This briefing explains who sits where and why, then takes a closer look at the tradition of sitting on the steps of the throne.
Research Briefing
The Succession to Peerages and Baronetcies Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Northbrook (Conservative). The bill was introduced on 20 November 2023 and second reading is scheduled to take place on 9 February 2024.
In Focus
The House of Lords contains 26 Church of England archbishops and bishops known as the ‘lords spiritual’. Their automatic right to sit and vote in the House has been established by ancient usage and by statute. Criticism of the lords spiritual’s automatic representation in the House has led to calls for their removal. This briefing considers their role and participation in the House, as well as recent calls for reform.
In Focus
The origins of the House of Lords are traceable through the developments of the parliamentary system in England, with the term itself first used during the reign of Henry VIII. Although the House’s purpose, powers and composition have changed considerably over time, a constant has been the importance placed by the Lords on its customs and traditions. Many of these customs and traditions are unwritten and exist due to historical precedent, while some are written articles. However, all are important to the daily functioning of the House, and many have developed into their current form through a long process of ritual and tradition.
Data dashboard
This page provides interactive data on delegated legislation in the House of Lords.
In Focus
In 2023, the cost of a first-class stamp exceeded £1 for the first time in history. Fifty years ago, as the price reached 3.5 pence, the House discussed the rising cost of stamps and its potential impact on the sending of Christmas cards. This briefing summarises the debate from 17 October 1973.
In Focus
The Life Peerages Act 1958 received royal assent on 30 April 1958 and the first 14 life peers were announced later that year on 24 July. Prior to the act, the House of Lords was exclusively male and largely made up of hereditary peers, with the exception of the Lords Spiritual and a limited number of Lords of Appeal in Ordinary—judges who had been granted life peerages under the Appellate Jurisdiction Act of 1876. Although life peers had been created previously, historically they were not allowed to sit or vote in the House of Lords. The act would also allow women to sit in the Lords for the first time. This briefing looks back at second reading of the Life Peerages Bill in the House of Lords, 65 years ago.
In Focus
The Peerage Act 1963 enabled hereditary peers to renounce their titles. Eighteen hereditary peers have disclaimed their peerages under the act. The first was Tony Benn, and those later disclaiming included Lord Hailsham and the Earl of Home, who both subsequently returned to the House of Lords as life peers. The act also allowed female hereditary peers to take seats and gave holders of Scottish peerages the same right to receive a writ of summons as holders of UK peerages. This briefing looks back at second reading of the Peerage Bill in the House of Lords, which took place on 4 July 1963.
In Focus
The state opening of Parliament in 1958 would be the last of that parliament, taking place 12 months before the election the following year. In the six days of debate on the address that followed, members responded to the government’s legislative programme, an agenda set in a context of ongoing international and domestic economic challenges. However, its significance lay in it being the occasion for two parliamentary firsts. This briefing looks back to find that the subsequent debates on the address saw the first contributions of life peers. It was also the first state opening to be televised.
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