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

Key Points

• Abolishes the by-election system used to fill vacant hereditary peer seats in the Lords.
• Vacancies would not be filled, leading to a gradual reduction in the number of hereditary peers in the Lords.
• The measure keeps existing hereditary peers for the moment but stops new by-elections from taking place, altering the Lords' composition over time.
• The bill originates in the Lords and is accompanied by a Select Committee report as part of its journey through Parliament.

Progress

The bill is at its first reading in the Lords. It has a Select Committee report and would move to further stages (second reading, committee stage) if it progresses.