This House of Lords Library briefing provides a list of the mover and seconder following each Queen’s Speech for the past 20 years, along with each Member’s party affiliation at the time.
Queen's Speech: Lords Movers and Seconders (156 KB , PDF)
On the first meeting of Parliament after State Opening, two Members of the House of Lords move that a humble address be presented to the Queen as an expression of thanks for the “Most Gracious Speech” that had been addressed to both Houses of Parliament. The two Members are chosen by the Leader of the House and each delivers a speech which by custom is uncontroversial. Convention has it that the first speech is delivered by a long-standing Member (known as the “mover”) and it is seconded by a newer Member (known as the “seconder”). Both Members are Government backbenchers. When these speeches have concluded, the House debates the legislative programme that was presented in the Queen’s Speech. The debates on the Queen’s Speech are the first main item of business of each new parliamentary session.
Queen's Speech: Lords Movers and Seconders (156 KB , PDF)
The House of Lords Appointments Commission (HOLAC) vets nominations to the House and recommends non-party political members. While its advice is usually followed, it is not a statutory body and the prime minister can choose to disregard its advice. This briefing provides an overview of the role and powers of the commission and summarises recent debates concerning its reform.
This page provides interactive data on the creation of life peerages in the House of Lords.
In 2024 the restoration and renewal programme announced it would be developing three options to preserve the Palace of Westminster. Details should be presented to Parliament in 2025. Members will then decide whether the programme should temporarily relocate both Houses of Parliament, keep the Commons Chamber onsite while temporarily relocating the Lords, or conduct a rolling programme of works “to deliver enhanced maintenance and improvement”. Surveying, design and remediation work was also progressed in 2024.
