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

Key Points

• Abolishes the by-election mechanism for hereditary peers by amending the House of Lords Act 1999.
• Eliminates the process by which vacancies in hereditary seats are filled through elections among hereditary peers.
• Comes with official documents, including a Select Committee report and the Bill itself.
• Indicates a broader reform of hereditary representation in the Lords by removing by-elections as a route to fill seats.
• Originates in the Lords and is at an early stage of passage (first reading) in the Lords.

Progress

The bill is at its first reading in the House of Lords (introduced 5 December 2023). If it progresses, it would move to committee stage in the Lords and then onward through the usual parliamentary stages.