In Focus
The House of Lords made several changes to its procedures during the Covid-19 pandemic. This included the use of virtual sittings and sittings which featured both physical and remote participation. This article provides a chronology of these developments.
In Focus
Appointments to the House of Lords are currently vetted for propriety by the House of Lords Appointments Commission. It is able to advise the prime minister on these appointments. However, the prime minister can disregard its advice. On 3 March 2022, the House of Lords will debate the powers of the House of Lords Appointments Commission to vet nominations to the House of Lords.
Research Briefing
On 6 February 2022, Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth. Events and initiatives will take place throughout the year to celebrate this milestone, culminating in a four-day UK bank holiday weekend in early June.
Research Briefing
This Lords Library briefing sets out how the House of Lords is structured, governed and managed, including joint working with the House of Commons.
In Focus
This private member's bill seeks to amend the House of Lords Act 1999 to remove the system of by-elections currently used to fill vacancies caused by the death, resignation or expulsion of individuals who are Members of the House of Lords by virtue of a hereditary peerage.
In Focus
Since Boris Johnson became Prime Minister in 2019, the Government has made 83 appointments to the House of Lords. The Government has argued these appointments have been necessary to refresh the House. However, concerns have been expressed about the number of new appointments and the increase in the number of Conservative members. On 18 November 2021, the House of Lords will debate whether the process by which appointments are made should be reviewed.
Research Briefing
The Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Bill is a Government bill which would repeal the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act 2011. It also would revive the prerogative power to dissolve Parliament and call a new Parliament. Second reading of the bill in the House of Lords is scheduled to take place on 24 November 2021.
In Focus
The House of Lords Appointments Commission vets nominations to the House and recommends non-party political members. However, it is not a statutory body and the Prime Minister can disregard its advice. Recently, its advice about the appointment of Lord Cruddas was not followed by the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson. On 6 September 2021, the House of Lords will debate whether the commission should be reformed and placed on a statutory basis.
Research Briefing
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
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the House of Lords agreed to introduce virtual participation in debates to allow for social distancing and help prevent the spread of the virus. It has also introduced remote voting in divisions. This In Focus article considers the impact of these changes and discussions about which changes should be retained.
In Focus
Calls for reform to the UK’s legislative framework for whistleblowing have increased in recent years. The Office of the Whistleblower Bill would require the establishment of a new body to provide guidance and support to whistleblowers, amongst other things. This article looks at what the bill would do, why it has been introduced, and parliamentary discussion that has taken place on the subject.
In Focus
The Government has stated that the state opening of parliament and Queen’s Speech scheduled for 11 May 2021 will take place with reduced ceremonial elements due to the coronavirus pandemic. This In Focus looks at how this can differ from a traditional state opening.
In Focus
The lord speaker, along with their deputies, chairs the business of the House of Lords and has certain other procedural, ceremonial and ambassadorial functions. As a result of the resignation of the current Lord Speaker, Lord Fowler, an election for a new lord speaker will be held in April 2021.
In Focus
To mark International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, we take a look at how women fought for and won their right to sit in the House of Lords.
In Focus
Relations between the UK and the EU entered a new phase in 2021, following the end of the Brexit transition period and the agreement of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. While those negotiations are now over, UK-EU relations remain of significant policy interest. This article looks at opportunities for the House of Lords to scrutinise the new relationship through committee activity, post-legislative scrutiny, holding ministers to account and interparliamentary cooperation.
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