Overview

This bill proposes the creation of a House of Lords Appointments Commission to advise the Prime Minister on nominations for life peerages. The Commission will be responsible for ensuring the appointments reflect principles of political balance and diversity within the House of Lords, aiming for a more representative and less party-dominated chamber.

Description

The bill establishes a nine-member House of Lords Appointments Commission, nominated by the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Lord Speaker. The Commission's role is to advise the Prime Minister on all peerage recommendations. The Prime Minister must refer all nominations to the Commission before recommending them to the Crown.

Key Principles for Peerage Nominations:

• At least 20% of the House of Lords should be independent of any registered political party.
• No single party should hold an absolute majority in the House of Lords.
• The size of the House of Lords should not exceed that of the House of Commons.

The Commission will also have the power to propose its own candidates for peerages, who must be politically independent. The Commission will determine its own rules and procedures, create guidelines for interpreting nomination criteria, and will be able to propose additional criteria, which are subject to parliamentary approval. Party leaders must provide information to the Commission about their nomination processes.

Government Spending

The bill does not specify any direct costs or savings to government spending. The main financial impact would be the cost of establishing and running the Commission, which would need to be determined after enactment.

Groups Affected

• Prime Minister: Must consult the Commission before making peerage recommendations.
• Political Parties: Will need to provide information to the Commission regarding their nomination processes and will have less direct influence over the selection of peers.
• House of Lords: Its composition and political balance will likely change over time due to the bill’s impact on appointments.
• The Public: May have increased opportunity to nominate individuals for peerages via the Commission.
• The Commission Members: Will have a significant role in shaping the House of Lords.

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