The House of Lords Flashcards
(6 cards)
1
Q
What is the House of Lords?
A
- The House of Lords is the Upper House in the UK’s bi-cameral system of government.
- It is one of the two legislative chambers, alongside the House of Commons.
- It is part of the legislature, whose members make new laws.
- It is not elected.
2
Q
Who are the members of the House of Lords?
A
- It consists of about 800 members, or around 799.
- Members include 26 senior Church of England clergy (Lords Spiritual).
- It includes 92 Hereditary Peers.
- The rest are Life Peers.
- Peers not affiliated to a political party are known as “crossbenchers”.
- Hereditary Peers and their descendants have a right to be in the House of Lords.
3
Q
What are life peers?
A
Life Peers are picked by the Prime Minister of the time for their contribution.
4
Q
What are Crossbenchers?
A
Peers not affiliated to a political party are known as “crossbenchers”.
5
Q
What is the role of the House of Lords in law-making?
A
- Legislation (Bills) must be passed by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords before they receive the Royal Assent and become law.
- Bills can be introduced in either the Commons or the Lords, but it is usually the Commons.
- If the Commons passes a Bill, it passes to the House of Lords.
- The Lords can suggest amendments that have to be accepted by the Commons.
- The Lords cannot delay a Money Bill (e.g., the Finance Bill after the Budget).
- The Lords can delay other legislation for a maximum of 13 months.
6
Q
What are the main roles and limitations of the House of Lords?
A
Its three main rules are:
- Making laws
- In-depth consideration
- Holding government to account.
- They scrutinise Bills as they go through Parliament.
- Members (Peers) sitting in the House of Lords cannot vote in national elections.
- Members (Peers) cannot stand as candidates in national elections.
- The Labour government has pledged to abolish the House of Lords.
- Joint committees involving MPs and members of the House of Lords can scrutinise areas of joint interest.
