Two incidents have changed the process of appointment of members in the House of Lords:
The House of Lords A ct of 1999 that eradicated the hereditary Peers’ right to pass membership down the family
The introduction of the House of lords’ Appointments Commission
Now there are several ways of becoming a Member of the House of Lords.
The House of Lords Appointments’ Commission
This independent public body was set up in May, 2000. It recommends the non- political Lords’ appointments to the Queen and also checks the suitability of the nominations to the House, including the nominations made by the various political parties.
New Year and Birthday Honours
New Year and Birthday Honours are awarded twice a year and it is in those meetings that announcements of life peerages are made. However, this has become very rare since the initiation of the Appointment’s Commission.
Dissolution of Honours
The Dissolution of Honours take place at the end of the Parliament when peerages are given to MPs. All parties who are leaving the House of Commons participate in it.
Resignation of Honours
While, resigning, a Prime Minister can recommended the names of peerages fore fellow politicians, political advisors or others who have supported him while he was in power.
Political Lists of Working Peers’
Lords are appointed to support the strength of the three main political parties. It is expected that the Lords will be regularly present in the front bench of the House as a spokes person or a whip. These active Lords are popularly referred to as the “Working Peers” by the press. Ad hoc announcements are made when a new Law Lord joins the House of lords or when someone who is not already a Lord, is appointed as a Minister.
Bishops and Archbishops
Since the middle of the nineteenth century the number of Bishops in the House of Lords has been limited to 26. If a vacancy arises, the most senior Bishop is appointed to that place. However, the archbishops of Canterbury and York usually are given life peerages on retirement.
Speakers
The House of Commons usually accords peerages to its former Speakers.
