Extension of Franchise (House of Lords) Bill [HL]

Key Points

• Extends the right to vote in UK general elections to Members of the House of Lords.
• Would require amendments to electoral legislation (e.g., representations of the People Act) to enable Lords to vote.
• Does not specify any change to the process for standing for election to the House of Commons; it focuses on voting rights only.
• Raises constitutional considerations about the roles of the Lords and Commons in elections.
• Currently at the 2nd Reading in the House of Commons after originating in the House of Lords; further stages in both Houses are still to come.

Progress

The bill is at the second reading in the Commons, having originated in the Lords. It still needs further readings, committee scrutiny, and approval in both Houses before it could become law.