Documents to download

This Library Note provides a chronology of key developments in the reform of the House of Lords since 1900. It does not provide a comprehensive account of all reform proposals, but briefly summarises the context and outcome of significant proposals for reform of the composition and powers of the House in order to illustrate the shifting debate on the Lords over the last century. More detailed chronologies of recent reform proposals may be found in House of Lords Library Notes ‘Proposals for Reform of the Composition and Powers of the House of Lords, 1968–1998’ (July 1998, LLN 98/004) and ‘House of Lords Reform 1997–2010: A Chronology’ (June 2010, LLN 2010/015).


Documents to download

Related posts

  • The restoration and renewal programme: Recent developments and next steps

    The restoration and renewal programme was created to preserve the Palace of Westminster. In 2022, the commissions of the House of Commons and House of Lords decided to change its governance structure. The progress made in implementing these changes and progressing the programme is outlined in its first annual report, published in July 2023. This article gives an overview of the history of the programme and provides a summary of its annual report. It also highlights plans for both Houses to debate a shortlist of delivery options before the end of 2023.

    The restoration and renewal programme: Recent developments and next steps
  • Fast-tracking legislation

    Fast-tracked bills are those which complete all their parliamentary stages in a shortened timescale. Reasons for using the process include correcting an error in legislation or responding to unforeseen circumstances. However, issues such as pressure on the procedural process and a lack of parliamentary scrutiny have been identified with fast-tracking. This article explores how and why bills are fast-tracked.

    Fast-tracking legislation
  • House of Lords: Backgrounds in public life

    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.

    House of Lords: Backgrounds in public life