Criteria Guiding the Assessment of Nominations for Non-Party Political Life Peers
Any British, Irish or Commonwealth citizen over the age of 21 may be nominated for membership of the House of Lords. To be able to devote the time necessary to make an active and effective contribution to the work of the House, the Commission considers that you must have your main home in the United Kingdom. It will decline to consider any nominee who is not resident in the United Kingdom for tax purposes.
The Commission will assess nominations against its stated criteria. It is committed to independent and fair assessment of nominations. Its recommendations will be made on individual merit and not on any other basis.
The Commission recognises the role it can play through an open, meritocratic process in ensuring that the composition and balance of the House better reflects the different experience and backgrounds of those living in the United Kingdom. It wishes to attract as wide a range of nominees as possible from all parts of the United Kingdom.
The Commission recognises that it may recommend some individuals in the full knowledge that the demands of working life may limit his or her involvement in the House. This will only be on the basis of a judgement that the House of Lords will benefit immediately from their expertise and at a later stage in his or her career they will spend more time in the House.
The criteria:
The Commission will be seeking to recommend nominees:
- With a record of significant achievement within their chosen way of life that demonstrates a range of experience, skills and competencies;
- Who are able to make an effective and significant contribution to the work of the House of Lords, not only in their areas of particular interest and special expertise but the wide range of other issues coming before the House;
- With some understanding of the constitutional framework, including the place of the House of Lords, and the skills and qualities needed to be an effective member of the House – for example, nominees should be able to speak with independence and authority;
- With the time available to ensure they can make an effective contribution within the procedures and working practices of the House of Lords. This does not necessarily mean the same amount of time expected of “working peers”. The Commission recognises that many active members continue with their professional and other working interests and this can help maintain expertise and experience;
- Who are able to demonstrate outstanding personal qualities, in particular integrity and independence;
- With a strong and personal commitment to the principles and highest standards of public life. Details of the resolutions adopted by the House on the declaration and registration of Lords’ interests can be found on Parliament’s website at www.parliament.uk [External website]
- Who are independent of any political party. Nominees and the Commission will need to feel confident of their ability to be independent of party political considerations whatever their past party- political involvement. For this reason, all nominees are asked to respond to the questions on political involvement and activities which are similar to those used for most public appointments.
