Parliament Act of 1949

British history

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July 1, 2026

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The Parliament Act of 1949 is a British law that significantly reduced the power of the House of Lords in relation to the House of Commons. This act built upon the Parliament Act of 1911, which had already curtailed the Lords' absolute veto power.1

Under the 1949 Act, legislation passed by the House of Commons can become law without the Lords' consent if it is approved in two successive parliamentary sessions, with at least one year between the bill's second reading in the first session and its third reading in the second. This effectively limits the House of Lords' ability to block legislation supported by the elected House of Commons, reinforcing the principle of representative government.1

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House of Lords
Under the 1949 act, all other public bills (except bills to extend the maximum duration of Parliament) not receiving the approval of the House of Lords become law provided that they are passed by two successive parliamentary sessions and that a period of one year has elapsed…
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Under the 1949 act, all other public bills (except bills to extend the maximum duration of Parliament) not receiving the approval of the House of Lords become law provided that they are passed by two successive parliamentary sessions and that a period of one year has elapsed…
Read More