Ending ministerial by-elections: Lords debate 1926

The recent King’s Speech confirmed plans to lower the voting age to 16. A century earlier, Parliament examined proposals for a very different constitutional change: ending ministerial by-elections. Introduced in the 18th century as a safeguard against crown influence, ministerial by-elections were later viewed by some as outdated. For others, they were an important democratic safeguard. This briefing examines the Lords second reading debate on the bill that abolished the by-elections.

Ending ministerial by-elections: Lords debate 1926

Ministers in the House of Lords: Role and accountability to Parliament

Ministers are needed in the House of Lords to take legislation through the House and answer for the government during questions and debates. Some cabinet ministers are appointed from the Lords. For example, the leader of the House of Lords is always a member of the Lords. This briefing looks at the role of ministers in the House of Lords and how they are scrutinised.

Ministers in the House of Lords: Role and accountability to Parliament

  • In Focus

    Threats to UK democracy: Disinformation, foreign interference and declining public trust

    Social media and other technologies have made it easier, quicker and cheaper for foreign powers to spread false information online aimed at undermining UK democracy. Such disinformation campaigns are one type of interference operation. In parallel, researchers have noted a link between declining public trust and societal polarisation, which can be exacerbated by online discourse. This briefing provides introductory reading to these issues, including recent reports and government announcements.

  • In Focus

    Recommendations of the Jo Cox Civility Commission

    Concerns about abuse and intimidation towards elected representatives have increased in recent years. The Jo Cox Civility Commission made a number of recommendations in a 2024 report to address this because of concerns that this activity would dissuade people from standing in elections and encourage existing representatives to stand down. The government has instigated a number of policies to tackle the abuse and intimidation of elected representatives.

  • Research Briefing

    Lengths of prorogation since 1900

    Prorogation is the mechanism by which parliamentary sessions are ended. This House of Lords Library briefing sets out the start and end dates of each parliamentary session since 1900, together with the number of calendar days between the end of the previous session and the start of the new one.

  • Research Briefing

    Hereditary by-elections results: 2002 to 2024

    Between 2002 and 2024, by-elections were held to replace excepted hereditary peers who left the House of Lords. In July 2024, the House agreed to pause by-elections following the introduction of the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill. This bill was passed in 2026, ending the need for by-elections. This briefing provides a list of by-election results, including information on turnout and the number of candidates.

  • In Focus

    Lords public bill stages: “That this bill do now pass”

    The motion “that this bill do now pass” is moved immediately after a bill’s final stage in the House of Lords (known as third reading). It is amendable and so provides an opportunity for the House to oppose, delay or record a view on a measure if there is enough support. This briefing provides examples of amendments to the motion and what the outcome was each time.

  • Research Briefing

    Ministerial Salaries (Amendment) Bill: HL Bill 179 of 2024–26

    The Ministerial Salaries (Amendment) Bill is a government bill that would increase the total number of ministerial salaries that could be paid from 109 to 120. It completed its Commons stages on 17 March 2026. No amendments were tabled. It is due to have its second reading and remaining stages in the House of Lords on 14 April 2026. It has been certified as a money bill.

  • In Focus

    Treaty scrutiny in Parliament: Lords International Agreements Committee report

    The House of Lords International Agreements Committee has published a report on treaty scrutiny in Westminster. The committee described the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010’s framework for treaty scrutiny as a “weak and insufficient mechanism for securing meaningful accountability to Parliament” and called for it to be reformed. The government said it saw some difficulties in the committee’s proposals, but it was also “keen to work with the committee to help to mitigate or resolve, so far as possible, the issues which the committee has raised”.

  • In Focus

    Private members’ bills and the Parliament Acts

    It has been suggested that the Parliament Acts could be used to pass the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill if it does not complete all its House of Lords stages before the end of the 2024–26 parliamentary session. This briefing considers how the Parliament Acts apply to private members’ bills.

  • In Focus

    Canadian Senate reform: A decade of membership changes and the road ahead

    The Senate of Canada shares many similarities with the House of Lords, notably regarding its appointed membership. Historically, Canadian prime ministers made Senate appointments to the benefit of their party, but in 2015 the Liberal government established a new Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments to assist with identifying suitable candidates. The board’s work helped inform 100 appointments in the 105-seat chamber, but it is unclear whether the process will continue. This briefing summarises developments.

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