House of Lord Influence

Question 1

How can the HoL scruntises the government?

Answer 1

○ Delay bills for up to 1 year
○ More independence from parties and responsibility to constituents
○ More expertise
○ Have no majority

Question 2

Exclusive powers of the House of Commons

Answer 2

• Financial Privledge- A convention that only the Commons is expected to deal with financial matter. e.g. can decide on the government budget.
• The Parliamentary Act 1949- The Lords can block legislation for a year, them the Commons can push it through unilaterally.
• Vote of no confidence- The commons alone has the power to dismiss the executive.

Question 3

Conventions that attempt to limit the Lords’ Power

Answer 3

• The Salisbury Convention- Bills implementing a manifesto commitment should not be opposed by the Lords.
• ‘Reasonable Time’ Convention- The Lords should not delay in considering legislation.

The Lords usually have to limit themsleves in a way by not causing too much opposition inorder to keep people happy with their questionable authority.

Question 4

Evidence that the HoL has had an increased independence

Answer 4

• In the 2021-2022 session, government defeats in the HoL reached record levels- 128 times.
• The HoL rebelled against the Salisbury convention with Voter ID cards in 2005, even though it was in Tony Blair’s manifesto, saying that ‘low popular vote for government meant convention didn’t apply’.
• In coalitions, they said that in coalitions where ‘not a single party manifesto was implemented- convention didn’t apply’.