This Lords Library briefing provides background information about the office of leader of the House of Lords and lists those who have held this position since 1963.
Leader of the House of Lords: Holders of the post (43 KB , Excel Spreadsheet)
On 5 July 2024 Baroness Smith of Basildon was appointed leader of the House of Lords after the change of government in the general election the previous day, replacing Lord True. Previously, Baroness Smith was MP for Basildon for 13 years before being made a life peer in 2010. She was shadow leader of the House of Lords from May 2015.
Lord True was made a life peer in December 2010. He was appointed leader of the House of Lords on 6 September 2022 having previously been Minister of State at the Cabinet Office. He was appointed shadow leader of the House of Lords on 8 July 2024.
On her appointment to the position at the age of 40, Baroness Evans of Bowes Park was the youngest leader of the House of Lords in modern times. Lord Windlesham was 41 when appointed in 1973. Of those who previously held the post, Lord Grenville was 31 when appointed in 1790 and Earl Granville was 39 on appointment to the position in 1855.
|
Name |
Period in Office |
|
Baroness Smith of Basildon |
July 2024 to date |
|
Lord True |
September 2022–July 2024 |
|
Baroness Evans of Bowes Park |
July 2016–September 2022 |
|
Baroness Stowell of Beeston |
July 2014–July 2016 |
|
Lord Hill of Oareford |
January 2013–July 2014 |
|
Lord Strathclyde |
May 2010–January 2013 |
|
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon |
October 2008–May 2010 |
|
Baroness Ashton of Upholland |
June 2007–October 2008 |
|
Baroness Amos |
October 2003–June 2007 |
|
Lord Williams of Mostyn |
June 2001–September 2003 |
|
Baroness Jay of Paddington |
July 1998–June 2001 |
|
Lord Richard |
May 1997–July 1998 |
|
Viscount Cranborne |
July 1994–May 1997 |
|
Lord Wakeham |
April 1992–July 1994 |
|
Lord Waddington |
November 1990–April 1992 |
|
Lord Belstead |
January 1988–November 1990 |
|
Viscount Whitelaw |
June 1983–January 1988 |
|
Baroness Young |
September 1981–June 1983 |
|
Lord Soames |
May 1979–September 1981 |
|
Lord Peart |
September 1976–May 1979 |
|
Lord Shepherd |
March 1974–September 1976 |
|
Lord Windlesham |
June 1973–February 1974 |
|
Earl Jellicoe |
June 1970–May 1973 |
|
Lord Shackleton |
February 1968–June 1970 |
|
Earl of Longford |
October 1964–January 1968 |
|
Lord Carrington |
October 1963–September 1964 |
Roles and Responsibilities in the House
The leader of the House of Lords performs a dual role. The leader has overall responsibility for the passage of government legislation through the House of Lords, exercised jointly with the lords chief whip. In addition to leading the government benches, the leader repeats statements made by the prime minister in the Commons and assists and advises all members of the House of Lords. At question time it is the leader, rather than the Lord Speaker, who advises the House when to move on to the next question or assists when two (or more) members rise at the same time. Therefore, the leader, alongside other members of the front benches, has a role in interventions. they also take part in formal ceremonies in the House, such as the state opening of Parliament.
The term ‘leader of the House’ as applied to the House of Lords only acquired general usage in the mid-19th century, although the position evolved towards the beginning of the previous century. Charles Spencer, the third Earl of Sunderland, was the first peer responsible for the management of the House of Lords from around 1717.
Leader of the House of Lords: Holders of the post (43 KB , Excel Spreadsheet)
The House of Lords (Peerage Nominations) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill sponsored by Lord Norton of Louth (Conservative). The bill seeks to strengthen the House of Lords Appointments Commission.
![House of Lords (Peerage Nominations) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 36 of 2024-25](https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/content/uploads/sites/2/2020/09/House-of-Lords-568x426.png)
The Lords Library has drawn together lists of members who have held selected positions in public life. This non-exhaustive collection provides an introduction to the diversity of experience in the House of Lords, including political careers in central, local, devolved and international settings; senior positions in defence, public service, policing and law; and leadership in science, education, culture and sport.
In 2024, the House of Lords Conduct Committee launched a review of the House of Lords code of conduct for members. The committee published the conclusions of this review and its proposed amendments to the code and guide to the code in January 2025. The House of Lords is scheduled to debate these recommendations. If accepted, these changes would come into force in April 2025.
