 Benn continued his campaign outside Parliament . Within two years , though , the Conservative Government of the time , which had members in the same or similar situation to Benn 's ( i.e. , who were going to receive title , or who had already applied for writs of summons ) , changed the law . The Peerage Act 1963 , allowing lifetime disclaimer of peerages , became law shortly after 6 pm on 31 July 1963 . Benn was the first peer to renounce his title , doing so at 6 @.@ 22 pm that day . St Clair , fulfilling a promise he had made at the time of his election , then accepted the office of Steward of the Manor of <unk> , disqualifying himself from the House ( outright resignation not being possible ) . Benn returned to the Commons after winning a by @-@ election on 20 August 1963 . 
