House Of Lords Flashcards
Benefits of a bicameral legislature
Checks and balances, greater scrutiny, representative of different interests
What is the main role of the House of Lords as the upper chamber
Revision chamber
Problems with bicameral legislatures
Gridlock, frustration of elected chamber at unelected chamber, appointment and composition may be questionable
What did the House of Lords act 1999 do
It had removed the right of hereditary peers to exist.
How many hereditary peers were removed to what number
From 750 to 92, with 90 remaining
What did the Life Peerages Act 1958 do
Gave MP’s right to appoint life peers
How are life peers considered
The Independent House of Lords Appointments Commission
Effect of removal of hereditary peers
Increased legitimacy and confidence in challenging the government , changed composition of chamber, promoted possibility of further reform
What was the change in the composition of the Lords post reform in 1999
The number of women is now at 29% compared to the 9% pre 1999
Limits of the power of the Lords
Parliament Act 1911/1949 turned lords into a revisionist chamber and it may only delay bills for 1 year and their amendment proposals may be entirely rejected, the Lords can not delay or amend money bills which concern financial matters such as taxation, Salisbury convention allows Commons to exercise its mandate, Secondary legislation is usually not to be amended or rejected by Lords as a power delegated to ministers.
Example of defeat in government
Hunting Act 2004- passed next year after the delay in the Lords
Example of financial privilege
Coalition involved this privilege with the Welfare Reform Bill in 2012 which frustrated much of Lords, also happened with the Identity Cards in 2010
