House of Lords Reform Act 2014


The House of Lords Reform Act 2014 is an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom. It received Royal Assent on 14 May 2014. The Act allows members of the House of Lords to retire or resign – actions previously constitutionally impossible. It also makes provision to exclude members who commit serious criminal offences resulting in a jail sentence of at least one year, and members who fail to attend the House for a whole session. The Act does not have retrospective effect.
As of February 2020, 105 members have resigned or retired and six memberships have ceased under the provisions of the Act regarding non-attendance.
Amongst other things, this Act provides for the right of peers to resign from the House of Lords, whilst keeping their title and style. Section 4 states that those who have resigned from the Lords can stand or re-stand as MPs. To date, no such person has become an MP.

Peers retired or resigned under the provisions of the Act

Additionally, The Lord Montagu of Beaulieu had given written notice that he would retire on 17 September 2015; however, he died on 31 August 2015.

Peers removed for non-attendance under the provisions of the Act