House of Lords

The House of Lords is like a glass of champagne that has stood for five days.~ Clement Attlee

It is not for anything; it just is, like an oak tree. You don't ask what an oak tree is for, do you?~ Enoch Powell, 1968

The House of Lords is the upper, appointed chamber of the national legislature of the United Kingdom. Its delegates are known as Lords. There are currently loads of them.

History

Just like its members, the House of Lords is really, really old.

Reform

Lords reform is a controversial topic because most of them don't want anything to change. Many attempts at modernising the institutions have been made, a few of them successfully. For example, the creation of life peers.

Unlike in ye olden times, Lords aren't actually there until they die; since 2010 if they want to, peers have the ability to retire from the House of Lords. Notable retirees from the Lords include:

• Michael Ashcroft (Baron Ashcroft of Chichester in the County of West Sussex) - retired 3 April 2015
• Geoffrey Howe (Lord Howe of Aberavon) - retired 19 May 2015
• John Sewel ( Baron Sewel of Gilcomstoun in the District of the City of Aberdee) - retired 30 July 2015 after The Sun published pictures of him taking cocaine in women's underwear
• Shirley Williams (Baroness Williams of Crosby) - retired 28 January 2016 because David Steel finally let her

A full list of retired peers can be found on the parliament website

Notable Members

• Jeffrey Archer
• Paddy Ashdown
• Betty Boothroyd
• John Major
• Peter Mandelson
• David Owen
• David Steel