House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) (Abolition of By-Elections) Bill [HL]

Key Points

• Abolishes the by-election mechanism used to fill vacancies for hereditary peer seats in the House of Lords (as established by the House of Lords Act 1999).
• Vacancies in hereditary peer seats would not be filled by by-elections; seats would remain vacant after a vacancy occurs.
• Over time, the number of hereditary peers in the House of Lords would shrink as vacancies go unfilled.
• The reform is narrowly targeted to hereditary peers and does not alter the status of life peers or other Lords.
• The Bill is currently at Committee stage in the Lords, originating in the Lords, with background from official Library Notes and the Bill.

Progress

Currently in Committee stage in the House of Lords; further stages in both Houses will be required for the bill to become law.