This article analyses the new peers announced in December 2020 by the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and the 79 peers he has appointed in total since taking office.
Documents to download
-
Constitution, Democracy and Rights Commission (330 KB, PDF)
The Conservative Party’s manifesto for the December 2019 general election included a commitment to set up a constitution, democracy, and rights commission. The manifesto argued that following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU it would be necessary to look at the “broader aspects” of the UK’s constitution. It said a Conservative Government would set up a constitution, democracy, and rights commission to examine the following issues:
- the relationship between the government, parliament, and the courts;
- the functioning of the royal prerogative;
- the role of the House of Lords; and
- access to justice for ordinary people.
Other areas would include examining judicial review and amending the Human Rights Act 1998 to balance the rights of individuals, national security, and effective government.
There are currently limited details available on the remit, form, and composition of the commission. The Government has said that it wants to ensure a range of expertise is represented on the commission and that it takes evidence from third parties and civic society to inform any recommendations.
Several commentators and academics have welcomed the general principle of reviewing the UK’s constitutional arrangements. However, some have expressed concern about the context of the commission, particularly coming after the Supreme Court found against the Government on constitutional issues.
This Lords Library Briefing sets out what is presently known about the commission; an overview of the areas it is proposed to cover; political responses to it; and recent commentary from academics and organisations concerned with government and the constitution.
Documents to download
-
Constitution, Democracy and Rights Commission (330 KB, PDF)
Related posts
-
-
Judicial review involves a judge reviewing the lawfulness of a decision that has been made by a public body. Following the Government's announcement of an independent review that will consider if judicial review reform is needed, this article looks at what judicial review is, and recent debates about whether the process is working.
-
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.