HofL and Parliamentary Reform Flashcards
government
what is the HofL?
-made of unelected peers
-26 CofE bishops must be in Lords
-scrutinise bills from HofC before they are passed
-was highest legal body in the UK pre SC
-crossbenchers largely decide votes
why did previous reforms fail?
-lack of agreement over role + memvership of Lords
-Commons doesn’t want to give up power to another elected chamber
-HofL blocked it
-Parliamentary agenda busy with other issues
-HofL reform was not a vote winner
what did the HofC Reform Act 1997 do?
-no more hereditary peerages except from 92
-life-peers still exist
-Act decreased membership from 1,330 in Oct 1999 to 669 in March 200, is now ~780
-members appointed by monarch on PM’s advice + HofL Appointments Commission
what are the features of the HofL?
-the Lords Spiritual- 26 bishops, read prayers + have an active role in Upper House
-The Salisbury Convention- ensures govt bills can get through Lords when govt doesn’t have a majority- lords can’t vote down a bill mentioned in manifesto
how many conservative?
275
-204 men, 71 women
how many crossbenchers?
179
-134 men, 45 women
how many labour?
182
-106 men, 66 women
how many lib dems?
79
-47 men, 32 women
similarities between HofC/L?
-legislating
-scrutinising
-debating issues
-committees
-a speaker
-whips
diffs. between HofC/L?
-no. of members
-C is elected
-party discipline- stricter whipping in C
-most legislation starts in C
-crossbenchers in L- decide votes
-lords have less power
arguments for further L reform?
-unelected- undemocratic
-92 hereditary peers
-conservative bias- unequal
-not accountable to public
-not legitimate
-some Lords in govt. (Cameron)
-power of patronage (PM can elect peers)
-bigger than commons
arguments against further L reform?
-system is currently (somewhat) effective
-more important issues
-provides less partisan chamber for proper scrutiny
-less whipping/party loyalty
-members don’t need to win votes
-experts in their fields
-wider life experience
