House of Lords Reform Bill 2012-13

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 present Bill establishes a House of Lords which is mostly, though not wholly, elected. Most members will serve non-renewable 15 year terms. The Parliament Acts will still apply to the reformed House of Lords.

This Paper discusses the Bill, and places it in the context of the draft Bill and wider debates about reform.

Standard Note 3900, House of Lords Statistics, 4 July 2012, is also relevant.