Overview

The House of Lords Reform Bill aims to reform the composition of the House of Lords, introducing elected members alongside appointed members and Lords Spiritual. The bill significantly alters the structure and election process of the upper house, impacting various aspects of its membership, including qualifications, terms of office, and remuneration.

Description

The bill establishes a new system for the House of Lords, gradually increasing the number of elected members over several electoral periods. In the first period, there will be 120 elected members, rising to 240 in the second and 360 in subsequent periods. Alongside this, there will be 30, 60, and 90 appointed members respectively, and a diminishing number of Lords Spiritual (Church of England bishops).

Elected Members

House of Lords elections will coincide with qualifying general elections, using a mixed-member proportional representation system in Great Britain and a single transferable vote system in Northern Ireland. Voting eligibility mirrors House of Commons elections, excluding prisoners. The bill grants the Minister power to regulate various aspects of elections, including voter registration, returning officers, and campaign finance.

Appointed Members

A House of Lords Appointments Commission, detailed in the bill, will recommend appointees, chosen based on merit and diversity, to the Prime Minister. Appointed members serve for an initial term and up to two additional terms.

Lords Spiritual

The number of Lords Spiritual will gradually decrease over the electoral periods. The Church of England will select these members. The bill defines the process of selection and filling vacancies.

Disqualification

The bill outlines grounds for disqualification from the House of Lords, including insolvency, serious criminal convictions, holding certain offices, and age. It provides mechanisms for appeal and relief from disqualification.

General Provisions

The bill addresses issues like writs of summons, certification of vacancies, expulsion and suspension of members, resignation, pay and allowances, pension schemes, and the disclaimer of life peerages. It also abolishes the House of Lords' jurisdiction over peerage claims.

Government Spending

The bill will lead to increased government expenditure on the pay and allowances of elected and appointed members of the House of Lords. Specific figures are not provided in the bill itself but will be determined by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA).

Groups Affected

• Current Members of the House of Lords (Lords Spiritual and Temporal): Their numbers and influence will be significantly altered. Many will become transitional members.
• Potential Elected Members: The bill creates new opportunities for individuals to serve in the House of Lords through elections.
• The Church of England: The bill affects their representation in the House of Lords through the selection of Lords Spiritual.
• The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA): IPSA will assume responsibility for determining the pay and allowances for many members of the House of Lords, and managing a new allowances scheme.
• Voters: The bill gives voters the opportunity to elect members to the House of Lords.
• Government: The government will be responsible for appointing members of the House of Lords Appointment Commission, and appointing other members of the House of Lords.

Powered by nyModel