House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) (Abolition of By-Elections) (No. 2) Bill [HL] | TrackPolitics

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House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) (Abolition of By-Elections) (No. 2) Bill [HL]

A Bill to amend the House of Lords Act 1999 so as to abolish the system of by-elections for hereditary peers

Originating House

House of Lords

Last Updated

31 October 2023

In Plain English

AI-generated

This bill would change the rules in the House of Lords Act 1999 to abolish by-elections used to fill vacancies for hereditary peers. As a result, when a hereditary peer’s seat becomes vacant, it would not be filled by an election, and the number of hereditary peers in the Lords would gradually fall over time.

Key Points

Abolishes the by-election system for filling hereditary peer vacancies in the Lords.
Amends the House of Lords Act 1999.
Does not alter the status of life peers or other non-hereditary seats.
Would lead to a gradual reduction in the number of hereditary peers in the Lords over time.
Currently at the 1st reading stage in the House of Lords (originating in the Lords).

Progress

Currently at the first reading stage in the House of Lords; the bill has not progressed to a second reading or further scrutiny yet.

Who is affected?

Hereditary peers who sit in the House of Lords (the 92 elected hereditary peers)People who might be in line to hold hereditary titles in the futureThe House of Lords as an institution and its parliamentary processes

Generated 21 February 2026

Updates & Documents

News (1)

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

26 Oct 2023

The 2022-2023 session of Parliament has prorogued and this bill will make no further progress.

Documents (1)

HL Bill 48 (as introduced)

BillLords

18 Jul 2022

Parliamentary Votes (0)

No recorded votes for this bill yet.