Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Parpworth of Leicester De Montfort Law School says the legislation completes a reform process begun by Tony Blair’s government in 1999, when most hereditary peers lost their seats. The new Act abolishes the remaining system of hereditary by-elections, memorably described during parliamentary debates as producing ‘twice as many candidates as voters’.
While hereditary peers may still receive life peerages, Parpworth notes the government resisted calls to automatically retain all existing hereditary members. Debate on the Bill also reopened wider questions about House of Lords reform, including retirement ages, participation requirements and the continued presence of bishops as ex officio members.
Describing the legislation as ‘historic’, Parpworth says membership of the Lords will now depend, ‘for the time being at least’, on appointment rather than birth.
