Commons vs. Lords Flashcards
How many MPs are there in Commons?
650
How many people does 1 MP stand for?
approx. 98,500
How many peers in the Lords?
778-ish
What is the difference between a life peer and a hereditary peer?
Life peers are appointed by the PM and can remain there for life.
Hereditary peers were mostly removed under the House of Lords Act 1999, 92 remain
What is the Life Peerages Act? Year?
1958
>Made it possible for women to become life peers
What was the Peerages Act? Year?
1963
>Allowed women and Scots to be hereditary peers
>Allowed new hereditary peers to remove themselves
What was the House of Lords Act? Year?
1999
>No more hereditary peers unless they are re-elected by the 92 who remain
What was the House of Lords Reform Act? Year?
2014
>Lords can retire or resign
>Lords can be removed for not attending an entire year
>Lords can be excluded for up to a year for a serious crime
What is the House of Lords Expulsion and Suspension Act? Year?
2015
>Can expel or suspend members for misconduct leading to potential disqualification
What is the Parliament Act? Year?
1911, 1949
>Removed HoL veto over HoC - can delay bills for 1 year
>Can propose amendments
>Bills can be passed unchanged in the next Parliament
-War Crimes Act 1991
-Hunting Act 2004
What is financial privilege? Year?
1911
>Lords cannot delay or amend money bills
What is Confidence and Supply? Year?
2011
>Government can be removed by a motion (vote) of no confidence and must resign if voted out
>Government must have a majority on votes of confidence and supply, i.e. spending by Commons
What is the Salisbury Convention? Year?
1940s
>Lords should not vote against a bill exacting manifesto policies…but Labour identity cards 2005-6
What is the ‘Reasonable time’ Convention? Year?
2000
>Government business should be enacted in ‘reasonable time’, not delayed or overlooked
>No actual time constraint though
What is the process of legislation in the Houses?
First reading Second reading Committee stage Report stage Third reading and passing
