Overview

This bill proposes amendments to the House of Lords, introducing a system for electing a fixed number of life peers. These elected peers will be designated as such and will serve for a set period. The bill also clarifies the entitlements of life peers, regardless of elected status, and addresses the designation of hereditary peers already elected under existing legislation.

Description

The bill mandates the creation of Standing Orders within the House of Lords to elect life peers based on their commitment to the House's work. A total of 121 life peers will be elected, divided into four groups based on party affiliation at the time of the Act's enactment: 66 Labour, 22 Conservative, 8 Liberal Democrat, and 25 Crossbench. These elected life peers will serve five-year terms (unless altered by future legislation). The bill includes provisions for filling vacancies and clarifies that the Clerk of the Parliaments will have the final say on election disputes. Further amendments clarify the entitlements of life peers under the Life Peerages Act 1958, regardless of their elected status. Finally, the bill also amends the Standing Orders to provide a designation for hereditary peers elected under the House of Lords Act 1999.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify any changes to government spending. The costs associated with the election process and the potential administrative changes within the House of Lords would need further assessment.

Groups Affected

• Life Peers: A subset of life peers will be eligible for election, potentially impacting their status and role within the House of Lords.
• Hereditary Peers (elected under the House of Lords Act 1999): This bill will affect their designation within the House of Lords.
• House of Lords Administration: The bill will require administrative changes to implement the election process and manage the designation of elected peers.
• Political Parties: The allocated number of elected peers reflects the party composition of the House of Lords at the time of the Act’s enactment, thus impacting the representation of different political viewpoints.

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