Members of the House of Lords swear in for the new Parliament
17 May 2010 (updated on 17 May 2010)
Members of the House of Lords swear in for the new Parliament on Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 May. By law Members of both Houses must do this before they sit or vote in the new Parliament. For the first time Members of the Lords will have to sign an undertaking to abide by the new House of Lords Code of Conduct as part of swearing in.
Meeting of the new Parliament
The House of Lords meets at 2.30pm on Tuesday 18 May and is expected to sit until 7.30pm.
On Tuesday 18 May MPs will be summoned to the Lords Chamber for the reading of Her Majesty’s Commission for the holding of a new Parliament. This directs the Commons to select its Speaker.
After the reading of prayers, the House continues in session to allow Members of the Lords to take the oath of allegiance or make a solemn affirmation.
Swearing in
Members of the Lords swear in by presenting their Writ of Summons – a formal request to attend the new Parliament – to the clerk at the Table.
After taking the oath or making the solemn affirmation, Members sign the Test Roll. Members will, for the first time, also sign an undertaking to abide by the House of Lords Code of Conduct. Each Member then goes to the Woolsack and shakes hands with the Lord Speaker.
Members approach the Table from below the Bar, opposite the throne. Archbishops, the party group leaders, Privy Counsellors and members of the front benches have priority on the first day.
Approval of the Commons Speaker
On Wednesday 19 May the House of Lords meets at 3pm.
After prayers, MPs return to the Lords Chamber for the Queen’s approval of the person chosen for the office of Commons Speaker.
Swearing in then continues.
State Opening of Parliament
The House of Lords will next meet on Tuesday 25 May for the State Opening of Parliament.
Further information
- Swearing in and the parliamentary oath
- House of Lords Code of Conduct
- Speaker’s election (PDF 333 KB)
- State Opening: 25 May 2010