Article 12 – The House of Peers

Article 12 – The House of Peers

Section 1 Hereditary Peers

All peers of England, Scotland, Great Britain and the United Kingdom including those removed by the House of Lords Reform Act of 1999 shall be members of the House of Peers.

Section 2 New Hereditary Peers Created

At the time of the Adoption of this constitution, there shall be created a number of new hereditary peers to better represent all the Realms. Each Realm other than England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales shall choose one hereditary peer for every hundred thousand people and each shall choose at least one. England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, shall choose one hereditary peer for every quarter million people. These new peers shall be chosen by a method to be determined by law in each Realm.

Section 3 Life Peers Elected by the People of the Realms

At the time of the Adoption of this constitution, each Realm shall be allotted a number of life peers in accordance with their population, one for every fifty thousand people, but each realm shall have at least one. These life peers shall be elected, staggered over 20 years, by the people of the Realm. When one of these life peers die, the vacancy shall be filled by election.

Section 4 Life Peers Chosen by Lot

Every year there shall be chosen by lot from among the Citizens 20 Life Peers. 

Section 5 Peerages Awarded for Service to the Confederation

The Monarch shall create as life peers all persons who have served for more than 10 years on the executive committee of the Federal Council or who have served more than 7 years as Prime Minister of a member Realm. Also the Federal Council may nominate five persons to be life peers each year and the monarch shall create no more than three of them peers. To reward those who have given especial service to the Confederation, the Federal Council may with the consent of the House of Commons or the Senate nominate a person to be hereditary peer. The Monarch shall create such a peer if s/he considers this proper.

Section 6 Powers

The House of Peers shall have the power to debate all bills that have passed either the House of Commons or the Senate and propose amendments. They have the power to debate any issue of public interest and propose legislation to the Commons or Senate. Likewise they may debate and give the government their advice. They have the power to choose senators as aforesaid.