LIFE PEERS   
By far the most significant recent reform of the House of
Lords came in 1958, with the Life Peerages Act, which 
allowed peerages to be created for the lifetime of the 
holder. There are currently around 500 life peers in the 
House of Lords. 

Life peerages are created by the Crown, on the 
recommendation of the Prime Minister, who also considers 
nominations from other party leaders. Many are politicians, 
honoured for service to their party or a distinguished career in the
Commons. Others are drawn from different aspects of national life and have brought valuable expertise to the House - former senior servicemen, civil servants, heads of nationalised and large private sector industries, trade union leaders, doctors, academics, and representatives of the arts.