House of Lords

Question 1

Point

Answer 1

Lastly, a further way parliamentary representatives can successfully hold government to account through the House of Lords.

Question 2

Explain 1

Answer 2

This policy can be seen as effective because the House of Lords complements the House of Commons by sharing the responsibility of checking and challenging the government. Its members focus on reviewing and refining legislation, examining each bill in detail before it becomes law. This thorough scrutiny ensures that proposed laws, especially in areas like welfare, health, and education, are carefully considered, as they directly affect people’s lives. Through this process, the Lords help improve legislation and hold the government accountable.

Question 3

Example 1

Answer 3

For example, in the first year of the 2019 parliament, the Lords defeated the government about 100 times, forcing it to change plans about making deals with countries that had been committing genocide.

Question 4

Analysis 1

Answer 4

The House of Lords holds the government accountable by challenging and amending legislation. By forcing changes to policies, such as restricting trade deals with genocidal regimes, the Lords ensures government actions align with ethical and legal standards.

Question 5

Rebuttal

Answer 5

However, the unelected House of Lords and their ability to successfully hold government to account is widely criticised.

Question 6

Explain 2

Answer 6

This is because membership of the Lords is not generally given by election. Most members are appointed for life, on either a political or non-political basis.

Question 7

Example 2

Answer 7

For instance, in 2020, Boris Johnson put his own brother into the House of Lords to join nearly 800 other members.

Question 8

Analysis 2

Answer 8

This suggests that the government are to fill the chamber with supporters rather than independent experts, reducing effective scrutiny and weakening the Lords’ ability to challenge government decisions impartially.

Question 9

Link

Answer 9

Overall, the House of Lords has effectively held the government to account on some occasions. However, this is not often as they are not run on a democratic system, but are appointed. This means that those in the House of Lords are bias and tend to support the government rather than the public who want change.