This House of Lords Library briefing provides a list of movers and seconders of the humble address to the sovereign, following the sovereign’s speech at the State Opening of Parliament. The list provides information from 1979 to 2026.

This House of Lords Library briefing provides a list of movers and seconders of the humble address to the sovereign, following the sovereign’s speech at the State Opening of Parliament. The list provides information from 1979 to 2026.

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.

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...

This House of Lords Library briefing covers the maiden and valedictory speeches made during the last two sessions of parliament. The first and last speeches made by a member of the House of Lords are significant occasions and, by tradition, are marked with respect by the House.

This House of Lords Library briefing covers the maiden and valedictory speeches made during the last two sessions of parliament. The first and last speeches made by a member of the House of Lords are significant occasions and, by tradition, are marked with respect by the House.

The Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015 (Extension) Bill [HL] is a government bill comprising a single substantive clause. It would extend the period in which vacancies among the lords spiritual are filled by bishops who are women by five years. The lords spiritual are the maximum of 26 Church of England archbishops and bishops in the House of Lords. The Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015 is currently due to expire in May 2025. The bill has been introduced at the request of the Church of England. This briefing provides a summary of the background to the bill, including the appointments procedure for the lords spiritual. It summarises the bill’s provisions and provides statistics on women bishops in the House of Lords.

The Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015 (Extension) Bill [HL] is a government bill comprising a single substantive clause. It would extend the period in which vacancies among the lords spiritual are filled by bishops who are women by five years. The lords spiritual are the maximum of 26 Church of...

This House of Lords Library Briefing has been produced to mark the 65th anniversary of the passing of the Life Peerages Act on 30 April 1958.

This House of Lords Library Briefing has been produced to mark the 65th anniversary of the passing of the Life Peerages Act on 30 April 1958.

This House of Lords Library briefing covers the maiden and valedictory speeches made during the course of the first two sessions of the current parliament. The first and last speeches made by a Member of the House of Lords are significant occasions and, by tradition, are marked with respect by the House.

This House of Lords Library briefing covers the maiden and valedictory speeches made during the course of the first two sessions of the current parliament. The first and last speeches made by a Member of the House of Lords are significant occasions and, by tradition, are marked with respect by...

This Lords Library briefing sets out how the House of Lords is structured, governed and managed, including joint working with the House of Commons.

This Lords Library briefing sets out how the House of Lords is structured, governed and managed, including joint working with the House of Commons.

What have been the largest ever votes in the House of Lords? This briefing provides a list of divisions since 1999 where 500 or more Members have voted.

What have been the largest ever votes in the House of Lords? This briefing provides a list of divisions since 1999 where 500 or more Members have voted.

This House of Lords Library briefing provides lists of the female life Peers and the female hereditary Peers who have been Members of the House of Lords.

This House of Lords Library briefing provides lists of the female life Peers and the female hereditary Peers who have been Members of the House of Lords.

This briefing lists current members of the House of Lords who have held selected roles in public life. The chosen senior positions range across politics, government, defence, the judiciary, education, culture, media, and religion.

This briefing lists current members of the House of Lords who have held selected roles in public life. The chosen senior positions range across politics, government, defence, the judiciary, education, culture, media, and religion.

In 2020, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced 58 new life peers. This took the total number of life peers created under the Life Peerages Act 1958 to 1,517. This briefing provides information and statistics on these peerage creations. This includes breakdowns by decade and by prime minister. It also contains a list of every life peer appointed under the Act.

In 2020, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced 58 new life peers. This took the total number of life peers created under the Life Peerages Act 1958 to 1,517. This briefing provides information and statistics on these peerage creations. This includes breakdowns by decade and by prime minister. It also contains...

This briefing provides an update on the size of the House of Lords and recent statements on the issue following the new peerages announced this year. As at 20 November 2020, the size of the absolute membership was 820. This represented an increase in the size of the membership from the end of the 2017–19 session, but is lower than the peak of 845 at the end of the 2015–16 session.

This briefing provides an update on the size of the House of Lords and recent statements on the issue following the new peerages announced this year. As at 20 November 2020, the size of the absolute membership was 820. This represented an increase in the size of the membership from...

The House of Lords EU Committee’s report on the UK’s influence on the EU after Brexit will be debated on 12 May 2020.

The House of Lords EU Committee’s report on the UK’s influence on the EU after Brexit will be debated on 12 May 2020.

This House of Lords Library briefing provides information on the Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill [HL] in advance of its second reading, due to take place in the House of Lords on 13 March 2020.

This House of Lords Library briefing provides information on the Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill [HL] in advance of its second reading, due to take place in the House of Lords on 13 March 2020.

This House of Lords Library briefing presents a range of information on the membership of the House of Lords as at 17 January 2020. All figures are for the membership as at this date unless otherwise stated.

This House of Lords Library briefing presents a range of information on the membership of the House of Lords as at 17 January 2020. All figures are for the membership as at this date unless otherwise stated.

This House of Lords Library Briefing provides information on recent developments surrounding cannabis use for medicinal purposes.

This House of Lords Library Briefing provides information on recent developments surrounding cannabis use for medicinal purposes.

This House of Lords Library briefing presents data on the regional background of the House of Lords within the context of continued interest in the composition of the House of Lords.

This House of Lords Library briefing presents data on the regional background of the House of Lords within the context of continued interest in the composition of the House of Lords.

This House of Lords Library briefing covers the maiden and valedictory speeches made during the course of the 2017--2019 parliament. The first and last speeches made by a Member of the House of Lords are significant occasions and, by tradition, are marked with respect by the House.

This House of Lords Library briefing covers the maiden and valedictory speeches made during the course of the 2017--2019 parliament. The first and last speeches made by a Member of the House of Lords are significant occasions and, by tradition, are marked with respect by the House.

This House of Lords Library briefing provides summary data on the size and composition of the House of Lords. The information is taken from the House of Lords registry database and is correct as at 29 November 2019.

This House of Lords Library briefing provides summary data on the size and composition of the House of Lords. The information is taken from the House of Lords registry database and is correct as at 29 November 2019.

According to the Salisbury Convention, the House of Lords gives a second reading to government bills that seek to implement manifesto commitments, does not subject manifesto bills to wrecking amendments and returns manifesto bills to the Commons in reasonable time. This House of Lords Library Briefing examines the development of the convention and looks at the debates on how it applied after the 2010 and 2017 general elections, which both produced a hung parliament.

According to the Salisbury Convention, the House of Lords gives a second reading to government bills that seek to implement manifesto commitments, does not subject manifesto bills to wrecking amendments and returns manifesto bills to the Commons in reasonable time. This House of Lords Library Briefing examines the development of...