Close Menu
    Latest Edition
    FabUK Magazine Unveils Its 27th Edition Featuring Anya Taylor Joy and Announces Major Expansion Plans
    The latest
    • LEM Spring/Summer 2026 – “The Blanket”
    • A Dialogue Between Tradition and Imagination: emamima at Tranoï during PFW
    • “Where Is My Dress?” Kate’s Apology Sparks a Revolution, Sumissura Declares: Princesses Wear Suits Too
    • FABUK “One Question Talks”
    • FOCUS Art Fair London
    • The Astral Bakers signing and acoustic performance at Rough Trade Records Denmark Street London for their 2nd Album Release
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Fabuk MagazineFabuk Magazine
    • Fashion

      LEM Spring/Summer 2026 – “The Blanket”

      23 October 2025

      A Dialogue Between Tradition and Imagination: emamima at Tranoï during PFW

      23 October 2025

      Hsu Yi-Shiuan’s Collection Captivates the Audience, Wins Top Honor at the 2025 Taiwan Fashion Design Award (TFDA)

      16 October 2025

      Christophe Guillarmé Paris Fashion Week Spring-Summer 2026

      15 October 2025

      Tea Time with Gunther — Paris Fashion Week

      14 October 2025
    • Film

      AWARD PLACEMENTS REVEALED AT 2025 STUDENT ACADEMY AWARDS

      7 October 2025

      Ferrara Film Festival Kicks Off: Co-artistic Director Claudia Conte Promises a Free and Meritocratic Festival

      22 September 2025

      A House of Dynamite Ignites the Red Carpet at Venice Film Festival

      3 September 2025

      Stars at Venice: “Father Mother Sister Brother” Red Carpet Captivates at 82nd Film Festival

      2 September 2025

      Red Carpet for The Wizard of the Kremlin at Venice International Film Festival

      1 September 2025
    • Music

      The Astral Bakers signing and acoustic performance at Rough Trade Records Denmark Street London for their 2nd Album Release

      21 October 2025

      BON JOVI and ROBBIE WILLIAMS release new single “We Made It Look Easy”

      17 October 2025

      GLORIA ESTEFAN & NATHY PELUSO UNITE FOR ELECTRIFYING “CHIRRIQUI CHIRRI” REMIX

      26 September 2025

      RITA ORA UNVEILS SULTRY NEW SINGLE “ALL NATURAL” ALONGSIDE ACCOMPANYING MUSIC VIDEO DIRECTED BY TAIKA WAITITI

      25 September 2025

      Andrei Irimia Brings ‘Lights & Shadows’ to Paris and Beyond

      25 September 2025
    • Travel

      Best Places To Visit in the UK For Luxurious Escapes

      16 October 2025

      Six Ways to See the World: Which Travel Personality Are You?

      1 October 2025

      Why Portugal is the Perfect Destination for a Summer Getaway

      19 June 2025

      Top 5 Euro Destinations You Can’t Miss in 2025

      23 May 2025

      CRETE’S ELE VILLAS CELEBRATES FIRST SUMMER SEASON WITH SPECIAL OFFER

      15 April 2025
    • Store
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    Fabuk MagazineFabuk Magazine
    You are at:Home»Blog»UK PARLIAMENT TO CELEBRATE 60th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ACT THAT ENABLED WOMEN TO BE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS
    Blog

    UK PARLIAMENT TO CELEBRATE 60th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ACT THAT ENABLED WOMEN TO BE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS

    5 April 20183 Mins Read
    WhatsApp Facebook Twitter Threads Copy Link Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Threads Copy Link Email

    On Monday 30 April, UK Parliament will mark 60 years since the Life Peerages Act 1958 received Royal Assent, which allowed women to sit in the House of Lords for the first time. The Act opened the House to the whole of society, with members being appointed to contribute to our parliamentary democracy based on their knowledge and experience, regardless of gender or background.

    11745 Display
    The disgraceful scene in the House’, Daily Graphic, 1906. © Parliamentary Art Collection WOA Ref. Coll.

     

    Women were excluded from the House of Lords before 1958. The Life Peerages Act allowed women and men to be created peers for life and have seats in the House of Lords. Over time, the number of women peers increased and their vital contribution has changed the face of the House of Lords.

    There are currently 202 female life peers and, since the Act passed, there have been seven female Leaders of the House of Lords, three female Government Chief Whips and two of the three Lord Speakers to date have been women. Other important firsts for women in the House of Lords include:

    • the first woman life peer to receive Letters Patent was Baroness Wootton of Abinger on 8 August 1958
    • the first woman life peer to take her seat  was Baroness Swanborough on 21 October 1958
    • the first woman life peer to speak in the House of Lords was Baroness Elliot on 4 November 1958
    • the first female Government whip was Labour peer Baroness Phillips between 1965-1970
    • the first female Government Chief Whip was Baroness Llewelyn-Davies of Hastoe between March 1974 and May 1979
    • the first female Leader of the House of Lords was Baroness Young in September 1981
    • the first female Lord Speaker was Baroness Hayman in 2006.
    11746 Display
    Leaders of the House of Lords: Baroness Ashton of Upholland, Baroness Amos & Baroness Jay of Paddington’ by Desire Pfeiffer, 2008 © Parliamentary Art Collection WOA Ref. Coll.

    The House of Lords Library has produced two research briefings to mark the 60th anniversary of the passing of the Life Peerages Act which give historical and biographical information on the first Life Peers. Further information on the history of women in the Lords can also be found on Parliament’s Living Heritage webpage:

    • Life Peerages Act 1958: 60th Anniversary
    • Life Peerages Act 1958: First Life Peers
    • Living Heritage – Women and the Lords

    The celebration of the Life Peerages Act is part of UK Parliament’s Vote 100 project which is a year-long programme of events celebrating a century of women’s voices in Parliament, the journey towards universal suffrage and the first women MPs. Throughout 2018, Vote 100 will celebrate these milestones, and the contribution of women to politics in the UK, with a series of events, exhibitions and educational programmes.

    (Qualification of Women) Act, 1918
    Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act, 1918 © Parliamentary Archives, HL/PO/PU/1/1918/8&9G5c47
    Harry Furniss
    A corner in the Ladies’ Gallery’ by Harry Furniss, pen and ink on paper, c.1888 © Parliamentary Archives, HC/LB/1/112/248

    The Life Peerages Act will be displayed this summer at “Voice and Vote: Women’s Place in Parliament”, a major free public exhibition held in Westminster Hall, the oldest part of Parliament, which will open on 27 June 2018. It will tell the story of women and parliament through immersive and interactive technologies to help recreate lost historic spaces that were used by women in the Palace of Westminster. It will include key historic objects from Parliamentary collections and significant loans from around the UK.

     

    www.parliament.uk/lords

    House of Lords Life Peerages Act Life Peerages Act 1958

    Related Posts

    3 Mins Read

    “Where Is My Dress?” Kate’s Apology Sparks a Revolution, Sumissura Declares: Princesses Wear Suits Too

    23 October 2025 Blog
    2 Mins Read

    IRINA FEDOTOVA LAUNCHES MYSTIQUE 55: A NEW ERA OF ART, FASHION & LUXURY CRAFTSMANSHIP

    16 October 2025 Blog
    3 Mins Read

    3 Essential Factors to Think About Before Making the Purchase of a Gold Bracelet as a Gift

    2 October 2025 Blog
    3 Mins Read

    Your Guide to a Polished Professional Look

    1 October 2025 Blog
    Latest Edition
    FabUK Magazine Unveils Its 27th Edition Featuring Anya Taylor Joy and Announces Major Expansion Plans
    Blog
    “Where Is My Dress?” Kate’s Apology Sparks a Revolution, Sumissura Declares: Princesses Wear Suits Too
    23 October 20253 Mins Read
    Blog
    IRINA FEDOTOVA LAUNCHES MYSTIQUE 55: A NEW ERA OF ART, FASHION & LUXURY CRAFTSMANSHIP
    16 October 20252 Mins Read
    Blog
    3 Essential Factors to Think About Before Making the Purchase of a Gold Bracelet as a Gift
    2 October 20253 Mins Read
    Blog
    Your Guide to a Polished Professional Look
    1 October 20253 Mins Read
    Fabuk Magazine
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube Pinterest
    • How to get FabUK
    © 2015 - 2025 All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.