• In Focus

    Why peers cannot vote at general elections

    Common law long provided that peers of parliament could not vote in general elections. In the last 25 years, this has been put on a statutory footing and peers who are members of the House of Lords remain barred from voting. This briefing explores how this came to be and looks at recent attempts to change this disenfranchisement.

  • In Focus

    Customs and traditions: The mace

    The mace is a staff of office symbolising the authority of the sovereign in Parliament. A mace is carried to the Lords and the Commons chambers in a procession at the beginning and end of each sitting day. In the Lords, it rests on the woolsack behind the lord speaker during proceedings. As is the case in the Commons, the Lords may not conduct business in the chamber whilst it is not present. But where did this custom and tradition come from and are maces found in other parliaments?

  • In Focus

    From the Hansard archives: Fixing a date for Easter?

    In 1928, Parliament passed legislation that set the date of Easter on “the first Sunday after the second Saturday in April”. This was subject to an order in council that specified that, before any commencement order, “regard” be given to “any opinion officially expressed by any church or other Christian body”. The act has never been commenced. It remains on the statute book. This briefing delves into the Hansard archives to find that 25 years ago the House debated the merits of bringing that act into force.

  • In Focus

    Who sits where in the House of Lords?

    Seating in the House of Lords is defined by precedence and tradition. Tudor laws laid the groundwork for the layout of the current chamber. However, changes to the makeup of the membership and roles in the House have affected how the chamber has been used over time. This briefing explains who sits where and why, then takes a closer look at the tradition of sitting on the steps of the throne.

  • In Focus

    Lords spiritual in the House of Lords explained

    The House of Lords contains 26 Church of England archbishops and bishops known as the ‘lords spiritual’. Their automatic right to sit and vote in the House has been established by ancient usage and by statute. Criticism of the lords spiritual’s automatic representation in the House has led to calls for their removal. This briefing considers their role and participation in the House, as well as recent calls for reform.

  • In Focus

    Customs and traditions of the House of Lords: Self-regulation

    The origins of the House of Lords are traceable through the developments of the parliamentary system in England, with the term itself first used during the reign of Henry VIII. Although the House’s purpose, powers and composition have changed considerably over time, a constant has been the importance placed by the Lords on its customs and traditions. Many of these customs and traditions are unwritten and exist due to historical precedent, while some are written articles. However, all are important to the daily functioning of the House, and many have developed into their current form through a long process of ritual and tradition.

  • In Focus

    From the Hansard archives: Life Peerages Act 1958

    The Life Peerages Act 1958 received royal assent on 30 April 1958 and the first 14 life peers were announced later that year on 24 July. Prior to the act, the House of Lords was exclusively male and largely made up of hereditary peers, with the exception of the Lords Spiritual and a limited number of Lords of Appeal in Ordinary—judges who had been granted life peerages under the Appellate Jurisdiction Act of 1876. Although life peers had been created previously, historically they were not allowed to sit or vote in the House of Lords. The act would also allow women to sit in the Lords for the first time. This briefing looks back at second reading of the Life Peerages Bill in the House of Lords, 65 years ago.

  • In Focus

    From the Hansard archives: Peerage Act 1963

    The Peerage Act 1963 enabled hereditary peers to renounce their titles. Eighteen hereditary peers have disclaimed their peerages under the act. The first was Tony Benn, and those later disclaiming included Lord Hailsham and the Earl of Home, who both subsequently returned to the House of Lords as life peers. The act also allowed female hereditary peers to take seats and gave holders of Scottish peerages the same right to receive a writ of summons as holders of UK peerages. This briefing looks back at second reading of the Peerage Bill in the House of Lords, which took place on 4 July 1963.

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