By-elections in the House of Lords

2013 by-elections

Hereditary Peers’ by-election

Lord Reay, one of the 15 hereditary Peers elected by the whole House in 1999, died on 10 May 2013. A by-election will be held on 16 July 2013 to fill the vacant seat, in accordance with Standing Order 10. 

• Result: Hereditary Peers' by-election following the death of Lord Reay ( PDF 110 KB)
• House of Lords notice: Arrangements and list of candidates for Hereditary Peers' by-election on 16 July 2013 ( PDF 518 KB)
• House of Lords notice: Hereditary Peers’ by-election ( PDF 393 KB)

Conservative Hereditary Peers’ by-election

Earl Ferrers, an elected Conservative hereditary Peer, died on 13 November 2012. A by-election was held to fill the vacant seat, in accordance with Standing Order 10. Viscount Ridley was elected.

• Result: Conservative Hereditary Peers’ by-election following the death of Earl Ferrers ( PDF 103 KB)
• List of candidates: Conservative Hereditary Peers’ by-election following the death of Earl Ferrers ( PDF 72 KB)

2011 by-elections

Conservative Hereditary Peers’ by-election

The Earl of Onslow, an elected Conservative hereditary Peer, died on 14 May 2011. A by-election was held on 20 July 2011 to fill the vacant seat, in accordance with Standing Order 10. Lord Ashton of Hyde was elected.

• Result: Conservative Hereditary Peers’ by-election following the death of the Earl of Onslow ( PDF 72 KB)
• List of candidates: Conservative Hereditary Peers’ by-election following the death of the Earl of Onslow ( PDF 64 KB)
• House of Lords notice: Conservative Hereditary Peers’ by-election ( PDF 68 KB)

Hereditary Peers’ by-election

Lord Ampthill, one of the 15 hereditary Peers elected by the whole House in 1999, died on 23 April 2011. A by-election was held on 20 July 2011 to fill the vacant seat, in accordance with Standing Order 10. Viscount Colville of Culross was elected. 

• Result: Hereditary Peers’ by-election following the death of Lord Ampthill ( PDF 77 KB) 
• List of candidates: Hereditary Peers’ by-election following the death of Lord Ampthill ( PDF 521 KB)

• House of Lords notice: Hereditary Peers’ by-election ( PDF 391 KB) 

Death of Lord Monson: by-election

Lord Monson, a Crossbench hereditary Peer, died on 12 February 2011. A by-election was held in May 2011 to fill the vacant seat, in accordance with Standing Order 10. The Earl of Lytton was elected.

• Result: Crossbench hereditary Peers’ by-election following the death of Lord Monson ( PDF 58 KB)
• List of candidates: Crossbench hereditary Peers’ by-election following the death of Lord Monson ( PDF 66 KB)
• House of Lords notice: Crossbench hereditary Peers’ by-election ( PDF 147 KB) 

Death of Lord Strabolgi: by-election

Lord Strabolgi, one of the 15 hereditary Peers elected by the whole House in 1999, died on 24 December 2010. A by-election was held on 23 March 2011 to fill the vacant seat, in accordance with Standing Order 10. Viscount Hanworth was elected.

• Result: Hereditary Peers’ by-election following the death of Lord Strabolgi ( PDF 57 KB) 
• List of candidates: Hereditary Peers’ by-election following the death of Lord Strabolgi ( PDF 51 KB)
• House of Lords notice: Hereditary Peers’ by-election ( PDF 35 KB) 

Address queries about the by-elections to Antony Willott, Journal Office, House of Lords, telephone 020 7219 5307.

By-elections: background

Under the House of Lords Act 1999, the House of Lords elected 90 hereditary Peers to sit in the reformed House. When of these hereditary Peers dies, a by-election is held.

All those on the Register of hereditary Peers are eligible to stand in by-elections. The by-election must take place within three months of any vacancy occurring.

The system of by-elections came into effect in November 2002.

Further information 

House of Lords FAQ: By-elections – list of results of previous by-elections.

By-election notices – notices relating to all previous by-elections.