Equality (Titles) Bill: Difference between revisions
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The '''Equality (Titles) Bill''', known colloquially as the "'''Downton Law'''" and "'''Downton Abbey Law'''",<ref>{{cite news|last=Collins|first=Lauren|title=Ladies First!|url=http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2013/12/09/131209ta_talk_collins|newspaper=The New Yorker|date=9 December 2013}}</ref> was a [[Act of Parliament#Bills|Bill]] of the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] that would |
The '''Equality (Titles) Bill''', known colloquially as the "'''Downton Law'''" and "'''Downton Abbey Law'''",<ref>{{cite news|last=Collins|first=Lauren|title=Ladies First!|url=http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2013/12/09/131209ta_talk_collins|newspaper=The New Yorker|date=9 December 2013|access-date=30 December 2013|archive-date=10 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210082027/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/12/09/ladies-first-4|url-status=live}}</ref> was a [[Act of Parliament#Bills|Bill]] of the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] introduced in 2013 that would have ended a measure of gender discrimination and allowed for equal succession of female heirs to hereditary titles and [[British nobility|peerages]].<ref name="Telegraph"/> The [[primogeniture]] legislation, in conjunction with the [[Succession to the Crown Act 2013]], would align hereditary titles in accordance with the 1975 [[Sex Discrimination Act 1975|Sex Discrimination Act]]. |
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== Overview == |
== Overview == |
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The bill was dubbed the "Downton law" in reference to the British television drama ''[[Downton Abbey]]'' where the Earl's eldest daughter is unable to inherit the family seat because it can only be passed to a male heir.<ref name="Telegraph">{{cite news|last=Graham|first=Georgia|title=Ladies who could soon be a leaping|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/10540898/Ladies-who-could-soon-be-a-leaping.html|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=29 December 2013}}</ref>The Equality (Titles) Bill was precipitated by the passage of the 2013 Succession to the Crown Act, which altered the laws of [[succession to the British throne]] so that male heirs no longer precede their elder sisters. |
The bill was dubbed the "Downton law" in reference to the British television drama ''[[Downton Abbey]]'' where the Earl's eldest daughter is unable to inherit the family seat because it can only be passed to a male heir.<ref name="Telegraph">{{cite news|last=Graham|first=Georgia|title=Ladies who could soon be a leaping|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/10540898/Ladies-who-could-soon-be-a-leaping.html|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=29 December 2013|access-date=3 April 2018|archive-date=29 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529215244/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/10540898/Ladies-who-could-soon-be-a-leaping.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Equality (Titles) Bill was precipitated by the passage of the 2013 Succession to the Crown Act, which altered the laws of [[succession to the British throne]] so that male heirs no longer precede their elder sisters. |
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The bill was sponsored by [[Ralph Palmer, 12th Baron Lucas|the Lord Lucas and Dingwall]]<ref name="Lyal"/> in the [[House of Lords]] and has had two readings.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bill stages – Equality (Titles) Bill [HL] 2013–14|url=http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2013-14/equalitytitles/stages.html|accessdate=30 December 2013}}</ref> The Queen consented to the bill's procession.<ref>{{cite news|title=Queen gives green light to removing gender bias from titles|url=http://royalcentral.co.uk/politics/queen-gives-green-light-to-removing-gender-bias-from-titles-18915|newspaper=Royal Central|date=1 November 2013}}</ref> Conservative MP [[Mary Macleod]] has sponsored the bill in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] and pointed out that only two of House of Lords' 92 hereditary peers are women.<ref name="Lyal">{{cite news|last=Lyall|first=Sarah|title=Son and Heir? In Britain, Daughters Cry No Fair|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/23/world/europe/son-and-heir-in-britain-daughters-cry-no-fair.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0|newspaper=The New York Times|date=22 June 2013}}</ref> |
The bill was sponsored by [[Ralph Palmer, 12th Baron Lucas|the Lord Lucas and Dingwall]]<ref name="Lyal"/> in the [[House of Lords]] and has had two readings.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bill stages – Equality (Titles) Bill [HL] 2013–14|url=http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2013-14/equalitytitles/stages.html|accessdate=30 December 2013|archive-date=10 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210082131/https://services.parliament.uk/bills/2013-14/equalitytitles/stages.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Queen consented to the bill's procession.<ref>{{cite news|title=Queen gives green light to removing gender bias from titles|url=http://royalcentral.co.uk/politics/queen-gives-green-light-to-removing-gender-bias-from-titles-18915|newspaper=Royal Central|date=1 November 2013|access-date=30 December 2013|archive-date=10 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210082221/https://royalcentral.co.uk/interests/state/queen-gives-green-light-to-removing-gender-bias-from-titles-18915/|url-status=live}}</ref> Conservative MP [[Mary Macleod]] has sponsored the bill in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] and pointed out that only two of House of Lords' 92 hereditary peers are women.<ref name="Lyal">{{cite news|last=Lyall|first=Sarah|title=Son and Heir? In Britain, Daughters Cry No Fair|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/23/world/europe/son-and-heir-in-britain-daughters-cry-no-fair.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0|newspaper=The New York Times|date=22 June 2013|access-date=26 February 2017|archive-date=10 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210082000/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/23/world/europe/son-and-heir-in-britain-daughters-cry-no-fair.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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After peer [[David Trefgarne, 2nd Baron Trefgarne|Lord Trefgarne]] remarked that the changes in succession would "set the hare running" on other inherited titles, a campaign group named "The Hares" was established. Prominent female aristocratic members of The Hares included Lady Sarah Carnegie, [[Lady Kitty Spencer]], [[Liza Campbell|Lady Liza Campbell]], and [[Lady Mary Charteris]].<ref name="Independent"/> Lady Sarah Carnegie served as the face of the movement, as after |
After peer [[David Trefgarne, 2nd Baron Trefgarne|Lord Trefgarne]] remarked that the changes in succession would "set the hare running" on other inherited titles, a campaign group named "The Hares" was established. Prominent female aristocratic members of The Hares included Lady Sarah Carnegie, [[Lady Kitty Spencer]], [[Liza Campbell|Lady Liza Campbell]], and [[Lady Mary Charteris]].<ref name="Independent"/> Lady Sarah Carnegie served as the face of the movement, as after the death of [[David Carnegie, 14th Earl of Northesk|her father]], the [[Earl of Northesk|14th Earl of Northesk]], his title was legally claimed by a male 8th cousin instead of herself, her father's eldest surviving child.<ref name="Independent2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/jan/11/downton-bill-women-rights-liza-campbell|title=The Downton bill is for all daughters|last=Campbell|first=Liza|date=2014-01-11|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=2018-08-23|archive-date=10 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210082022/https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/jan/11/downton-bill-women-rights-liza-campbell|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Despite the bill being in favour of gender equality, several female aristocrats refused to support the bill. [[Emma Manners, Duchess of Rutland]], mother of the |
Despite the bill being in favour of gender equality, several female aristocrats refused to support the bill. [[Emma Manners, Duchess of Rutland]], mother of the British fashion model, [[Lady Violet Manners]], her eldest child, gave an interview to [[Daily Express|The Express]], in which she stated that "[she was] delighted that the estate would be passed on to [her] son Charles, Marquess of Granby, instead of [her] first born Violet. It is a responsibility and a responsibility I am glad that my daughter does not have to bear.”<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/677073/inheritance-duke-duchess-Manners-Belvoir-castle-UK-aristocracy|title=Never mind his elder sisters... My boy will be duke|last=Roycroft-Davis|first=Chris|date=2016-06-05|work=Express.co.uk|access-date=2018-08-24|language=en|archive-date=10 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210082057/https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/677073/inheritance-duke-duchess-Manners-Belvoir-castle-UK-aristocracy|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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An amendment to the bill that would exclude [[baronet]]cies from its scope has been opposed by [[Roche baronets|David Roche]], [[Roddy Llewellyn]], and Nicholas Stuart Taylor of the [[Stuart Taylor baronets|Stuart Taylor Baronetcy]] as well as Lord Monson.<ref>{{cite news|title=First-born girls should be able to inherit hereditary titles|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/letters/10495383/First-born-girls-should-be-able-to-inherit-hereditary-titles.html|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=5 December 2013}}</ref> A number of the bill's supporters have titles that are in danger of dying out, as their only heirs are female.<ref name="Independent">{{cite news|last=Merrick|first=Jane|title=The hares take on the heirs in Parliament: Where royalty led, the aristocracy may follow, with succession rights for girls to be debated|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/the-hares-take-on-the-heirs-in-parliament-where-royalty-led-the-aristocracy-may-follow-with-succession-rights-for-girls-to-be-debated-8891780.html|newspaper=The Independent|date=20 October 2013|author2=Bell, Matthew}}</ref> |
An amendment to the bill that would exclude [[baronet]]cies from its scope has been opposed by [[Roche baronets|David Roche]], [[Roddy Llewellyn]], and Nicholas Stuart Taylor of the [[Stuart Taylor baronets|Stuart Taylor Baronetcy]] as well as Lord Monson.<ref>{{cite news|title=First-born girls should be able to inherit hereditary titles|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/letters/10495383/First-born-girls-should-be-able-to-inherit-hereditary-titles.html|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=5 December 2013|access-date=3 April 2018|archive-date=10 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210082214/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/letters/10495383/First-born-girls-should-be-able-to-inherit-hereditary-titles.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A number of the bill's supporters have titles that are in danger of dying out, as their only heirs are female.<ref name="Independent">{{cite news|last=Merrick|first=Jane|title=The hares take on the heirs in Parliament: Where royalty led, the aristocracy may follow, with succession rights for girls to be debated|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/the-hares-take-on-the-heirs-in-parliament-where-royalty-led-the-aristocracy-may-follow-with-succession-rights-for-girls-to-be-debated-8891780.html|newspaper=The Independent|date=20 October 2013|author2=Bell, Matthew|access-date=20 September 2017|archive-date=10 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210082007/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/hares-take-heirs-parliament-where-royalty-led-aristocracy-may-follow-succession-rights-girls-be-debated-8891780.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Rejected at committee stage in the Lords, the Bill progressed no further but saw majority support in the Commons and prominent supporters in the Lords included former Home Secretary [[David |
Rejected at committee stage in the Lords, the Bill progressed no further but saw majority support in the Commons and prominent supporters in the Lords included former Home Secretary [[David Blunkett]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2013-14/equalitytitles.html|title=Equality (Titles) Bill [HL] 2013-14|publisher=UK Parliament|accessdate=16 August 2014|archive-date=5 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205133706/http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2013-14/equalitytitles.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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* [[Honours (Equality of Titles for Partners) Bill 2012-13]] |
* [[Honours (Equality of Titles for Partners) Bill 2012-13]] |
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* [[Succession to Peerages Bill ( |
* [[Succession to Peerages Bill (2015–16)]] |
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* [[Succession to Peerages Bill ( |
* [[Succession to Peerages Bill (2016–17)]] |
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* [[Succession to Peerages and Baronetcies Bill]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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[[Category:Public policy in the United Kingdom]] |
[[Category:Public policy in the United Kingdom]] |
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[[Category:Peerages in the United Kingdom]] |
[[Category:Peerages in the United Kingdom]] |
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[[Category:Succession]] |
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Latest revision as of 00:19, 21 November 2023
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| Long title | A Bill to make provision for the succession of female heirs to hereditary titles; for husbands and civil partners of those receiving honours to be allowed to use equivalent honorary titles to those available to wives; and for connected purposes. |
|---|---|
| Introduced by | The Lord Lucas and Dingwall |
Status: Not passed | |
The Equality (Titles) Bill, known colloquially as the "Downton Law" and "Downton Abbey Law",[1] was a Bill of the Parliament of the United Kingdom introduced in 2013 that would have ended a measure of gender discrimination and allowed for equal succession of female heirs to hereditary titles and peerages.[2] The primogeniture legislation, in conjunction with the Succession to the Crown Act 2013, would align hereditary titles in accordance with the 1975 Sex Discrimination Act.
Overview
[edit]The bill was dubbed the "Downton law" in reference to the British television drama Downton Abbey where the Earl's eldest daughter is unable to inherit the family seat because it can only be passed to a male heir.[2] The Equality (Titles) Bill was precipitated by the passage of the 2013 Succession to the Crown Act, which altered the laws of succession to the British throne so that male heirs no longer precede their elder sisters.
The bill was sponsored by the Lord Lucas and Dingwall[3] in the House of Lords and has had two readings.[4] The Queen consented to the bill's procession.[5] Conservative MP Mary Macleod has sponsored the bill in the House of Commons and pointed out that only two of House of Lords' 92 hereditary peers are women.[3]
After peer Lord Trefgarne remarked that the changes in succession would "set the hare running" on other inherited titles, a campaign group named "The Hares" was established. Prominent female aristocratic members of The Hares included Lady Sarah Carnegie, Lady Kitty Spencer, Lady Liza Campbell, and Lady Mary Charteris.[6] Lady Sarah Carnegie served as the face of the movement, as after the death of her father, the 14th Earl of Northesk, his title was legally claimed by a male 8th cousin instead of herself, her father's eldest surviving child.[7]
Despite the bill being in favour of gender equality, several female aristocrats refused to support the bill. Emma Manners, Duchess of Rutland, mother of the British fashion model, Lady Violet Manners, her eldest child, gave an interview to The Express, in which she stated that "[she was] delighted that the estate would be passed on to [her] son Charles, Marquess of Granby, instead of [her] first born Violet. It is a responsibility and a responsibility I am glad that my daughter does not have to bear.”[8]
An amendment to the bill that would exclude baronetcies from its scope has been opposed by David Roche, Roddy Llewellyn, and Nicholas Stuart Taylor of the Stuart Taylor Baronetcy as well as Lord Monson.[9] A number of the bill's supporters have titles that are in danger of dying out, as their only heirs are female.[6]
Rejected at committee stage in the Lords, the Bill progressed no further but saw majority support in the Commons and prominent supporters in the Lords included former Home Secretary David Blunkett.[10]
See also
[edit]- Honours (Equality of Titles for Partners) Bill 2012-13
- Succession to Peerages Bill (2015–16)
- Succession to Peerages Bill (2016–17)
- Succession to Peerages and Baronetcies Bill
References
[edit]- ^ Collins, Lauren (9 December 2013). "Ladies First!". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
- ^ a b Graham, Georgia (29 December 2013). "Ladies who could soon be a leaping". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 29 May 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
- ^ a b Lyall, Sarah (22 June 2013). "Son and Heir? In Britain, Daughters Cry No Fair". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
- ^ "Bill stages – Equality (Titles) Bill [HL] 2013–14". Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
- ^ "Queen gives green light to removing gender bias from titles". Royal Central. 1 November 2013. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
- ^ a b Merrick, Jane; Bell, Matthew (20 October 2013). "The hares take on the heirs in Parliament: Where royalty led, the aristocracy may follow, with succession rights for girls to be debated". The Independent. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
- ^ Campbell, Liza (11 January 2014). "The Downton bill is for all daughters". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
- ^ Roycroft-Davis, Chris (5 June 2016). "Never mind his elder sisters... My boy will be duke". Express.co.uk. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- ^ "First-born girls should be able to inherit hereditary titles". The Telegraph. 5 December 2013. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
- ^ "Equality (Titles) Bill [HL] 2013-14". UK Parliament. Archived from the original on 5 December 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
External links
[edit]- Equality (Titles) Bill [HL] 2013–14
- Committee-level scrutiny of the bill, 6 November 2013.