This Library Note considers the Government’s white paper and draft Bill on House of Lords Reform and subsequent reaction.
House of Lords Reform Draft Bill (Updated June 2011) (395 KB , PDF)
On 17 May 2011, the Government published a white paper and draft Bill on reforming the House of Lords, containing proposals for a reformed House of 300 members, 80 percent of whom would be elected using the single transferable vote, with the transition to the new House staggered over three electoral cycles beginning in 2015. This Library Note briefly sets out the Government’s proposals; summarises the statements announcing the proposals and reaction to those statements in both the Commons and the Lords; and outlines the reaction to the proposals from selected newspapers and a range of commentators. Other Lords Library Notes provide background information on the subject of House of Lords reform, including 'Possible Implications of House of Lords Reform' (25 June 2010, LLN 2010/014) and 'House of Lords Reform 1997–2010: A Chronology' (28 June 2010, LLN 2010/015).
House of Lords Reform Draft Bill (Updated June 2011) (395 KB , PDF)
UK prime ministers may draw up a resignation honours list on their departure from office, in which they may request that the reigning monarch grant honours to any number of people. Such honours may include peerages, knighthoods and damehoods, or other awards. However, not all have chosen to draw up such a list. This article lists those prime ministers who have requested that peerages be conferred on their departure from office.
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.
Hereditary peer by-elections are held within the House of Lords to replace excepted hereditary peers who have retired or died. This Lords Library briefing provides a list of hereditary peers’ by-election results since the passing of the House of Lords Act 1999, including information on turn out and the number of candidates.
