Viscount Stansgate Appointed Life Peer of the House of Lords

By Stephen Turner MA, MSc, HonFIOA

Former President, Institute of Acoustics

For about 10 years the Institute has been trying to raise its profile with Government.  Although we have good links with Civil Servants, the IOA is aware of the importance of liaising with politicians, either Members of the House of Commons or Members of the House of Lords. 

Viscount Stansgate is one such politician with whom members of the Institute meet informally, just so he is aware of the IOA and of the policy issues that affect our work.

Viscount Stansgate, however, was an hereditary peer and following the passing of the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Act 2026, he ceased to be a member of the House of Lords when Parliament was prorogued at the end of April 2026.

However, the Government agreed that some of the former hereditary peers could be appointed as Life Peers, and on the 12^th May, Stephen Benn, Viscount Stansgate was appointed a Life Peer.

Given the support he has shown the Institute over the years, the President felt we should write a letter of congratulations to him, and at the side of a meeting in Parliament on Monday 18th May, former President, Stephen Turner was able to present the letter to Viscount Stansgate (see photo).