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By-elections in the House of Lords

This page sets out notices, lists of candidates and results of recent hereditary peers' by-elections in the House of Lords.

2021 by-elections

Hereditary peer by-elections have been suspended since 23 March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Procedure and Privileges Committee, cognisant of the legal position, which is that the conduct of by-elections is required under the House of Lords Act 1999, decided on 22 April 2021 that the by-elections should start again. Their report on this was published on 26 April, and can be found here. By-elections are to be conducted using electronic means.

By-elections to replace Lord Rea and Lord Elton

By-elections to replace six hereditary peers

Conservative hereditary peers' by-election

Following the retirement of the Earl of Selborne on 26 March 2020 and the retirement of Lord Denham on 26 April 2021 and the non-attendance of Lord Selsdon during the 2019-21 Parliamentary session there are three vacancies among the excepted Conservative hereditary peers who sit in the House of Lords. The replacements for the Earl of Selborne, Lord Denham and Lord Selsdon will be elected in one ballot to be held on 14 June 2021.

Hereditary peers' by-election

Following the retirement of the Countess of Mar on 1 May 2020 there is a vacancy among the excepted hereditary peers who sit in the House of Lords to be held on 15 and 16 June 2021.

Labour hereditary peers' by-election

Following the death of Lord Rea on 1 June 2020 there is a vacancy among the excepted Labour hereditary peers who sit in the House of Lords due to be held on 12 July 2021.

Hereditary peers' by-election

Following the retirement of Lord Elton on 29 October 2020 there is a vacancy among the excepted hereditary peers who sit in the House of Lords due to be held on 13 and 14 July 2021.

2019 by-elections

Crossbench hereditary peers' by-election

A vacancy was created following the death of Viscount Slim, a Crossbench hereditary peer, on 12 January 2019.
A by-election was held on 26 March 2019 to fill the vacant seat. Lord Ravensdale was elected.

2018 by-elections

Hereditary peers' by-election

A vacancy was created following the death of Lord Skelmersdale, one of the 15 hereditary peers elected by the whole House in 1999, on 31 October 2018.
A by-election was held on 22 January 2019 to fill the vacant seat. Lord Reay was elected.

Crossbench hereditary peers' by-election

A vacancy was created following the retirement of Lord Northbourne, a Crossbench hereditary peer, on 4 September 2018.
A by-election was held on 28 November 2018 to fill the vacant seat. Lord Carrington was elected.

Conservative hereditary peers' by-election

A vacancy was created following the retirement of Lord Glentoran, a Conservative hereditary peer, on 1 June 2018.
A by-election was held on 18 July to fill the vacant seat. Lord Bethell was elected.

Crossbench hereditary peers' by-election

A vacancy was created following the retirement of Earl Baldwin of Bewdley, a Crossbench hereditary peer, on 9 May 2018.　
A by-election was held on 4 July 2018 to fill the vacant seat. The Earl of Devon was elected.

 

2017 by-elections

Crossbench hereditary peers' by-election

A vacancy was created following the retirement of Lord Walpole, a Crossbench hereditary peer, on 13 June 2017.
A by-election was held on 19 July 2017 to fill the vacant seat. Lord Vaux of Harrowden was elected.

Hereditary peers' by-election

A vacancy was created following the death of Lord Lyell, one of the 15 hereditary peers elected by the whole House in 1999, on 11 January 2017.
A by-election was held on 21 March 2017 to fill the vacant seat. Lord Colgrain was elected.

2016 by-elections

Crossbench hereditary peers' by-election

A vacancy was created following Lord Bridges ceasing to be a member of the House on 18 May 2016 by virtue of non-attendance in session 2015–16. He was a Crossbench hereditary peer.
A by-election was held on 12 July 2016 to fill the vacant seat. The Earl of Cork and Orrery (Lord Boyle) was elected.

Liberal Democrat hereditary peers' by-election

A vacancy was created following the death of Lord Avebury, a Liberal Democrat hereditary peer, on 14 February 2016.
A by-election was held on 19 April 2016 to fill the vacant seat. Viscount Thurso was elected.

 

2015 by-elections

Conservative hereditary peers' by-election

A vacancy was created following the death of Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, a Conservative hereditary peer, on 31 August 2015.
A by-election was held on 24 November 2015 to fill the vacant seat. Lord Fairfax of Cameron was elected.

Crossbench hereditary peers' by-election

A vacancy was created following the retirement of Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, a Crossbench hereditary peer, on 23 July 2015.
A by-election was held on 20 October 2015 to fill the vacant seat. Lord Trevethin and Oaksey was elected.

Conservative hereditary peers' by-election

A vacancy was created following the retirement of Lord Luke, a Conservative hereditary peer, on 24 June 2015.
A by-election was held on 16 September 2015 to fill the vacant seat. The Duke of Wellington was elected.

Crossbench hereditary peers' by-election

A vacancy was created following the retirement of Viscount Tenby, a Crossbench hereditary peer, on 1 May 2015.
A by-election was held on 7 July 2015 to fill the vacant seat. Lord Mountevans was elected.

2014 by-elections and earlier

Notices relating to 2014 by-elections and earlier are also available to read.

 

Further information

Notices relatingto previous by-elections are also available to read.

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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 oneof 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.