House of Lords Reform Bill

To make provision about the membership of the House of Lords; to make provision about the disclaimer of life peerages; to abolish the jurisdiction of the House of Lords in relation to peerage claims; to make other provision relating to peerage; and for connected purposes.

Reform of the House of Lords was a manifesto commitment for the three main parties at the 2010 election, and was included in the Coalition Agreement between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. A draft Bill was published in May 2011, on which a Joint Committee reported in April 2012. The Bill establishes a House of Lords which is mostly, though not wholly, elected, with a three-stage transition to reform.

Key areas

• most members will serve non-renewable 15 year terms
• semi-open list elections for large regional seats in mainland Great Britain
• Single Transferable Vote system for Northern Ireland
• Members will be able to resign, and may be expelled or suspended
• pay and allowances will be set by IPSA, with pay being related to the participation of the Member in the work of the House
• the Parliament Acts will still apply to the reformed House of Lords.