What is a life peer?
A life peer is a member of the House of Lords appointed for their lifetime, whose title cannot be passed on to their children. Life peers are formally appointed by the King, on the advice of the Prime Minister or the House of Lords Appointments Commission. They now make up almost all of the Lords.
Life peerages were created by the Life Peerages Act 1958, which also allowed women to sit in the Lords for the first time. Before then, most members inherited their seats. Life peers take the title Baron or Baroness and are known as Lord or Lady. Peers can be nominated for long public service, expertise or political work. Some are former ministers, judges or senior public servants.
Party leaders nominate most new peers, and the Prime Minister decides how many each party gets. The independent Appointments Commission vets nominees for propriety and recommends some non-party crossbench members. There is no limit on the number of peers, and critics say the House has grown far too large. New peers are introduced in a short ceremony and must take an oath or affirmation before they can sit.
Since the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Act 2026, all members other than the 26 bishops are life peers. Hereditary peers left in April 2026, and 26 of them returned with new life peerages. Members can retire or resign, and can be removed for very long absences or serious misconduct.
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How do you become a life peer?
You are nominated, usually by a party leader or the Appointments Commission, and appointed by the King.
Can a life peer pass on their title?
No. A life peerage ends when the holder dies.
Are there still hereditary peers in the Lords?
No. The remaining hereditary peers were removed in April 2026.
How are most members of the House of Lords chosen?
Appointed as life peers. Most members are life peers appointed for their experience or by party leaders.
Roughly how many members does the House of Lords have?
About 800. It has around 800 members, one of the largest legislatures in the world.