House of Lords Flashcards
role of Lords
scrutinise legislation
HoL act 1999
number of hereditary peers reduced - down to 92
life peers halved - 1330 to 669
HoL reform act 2014
allowed peers to retire/resign
HoL act 2015
allowed expulsion or suspension if breach of conduct - very bad
Parliament act 1949
reduced HoL power, only allowed to block bills from passing for a year rather than 2 years
What is the Salisbury convention?
A convention stating that if something is in a party’s manifesto it cannot be rejected
cash - for - honors scandal - Blair
2006 - men nominated by Blair to HoL, rejected by HoL appointments commmittee.
revealed they loaned large sums to Labour party which they had to repay.
No charges for Blair as could not be proven that there was an agreement, but undermined his reputation.
Peter Cruddas appointment - Johnson
donated 3.3 million pounds to Conservatives, resigned from them in 2012 and was co founder of brexit party.
Johnson nominated him for peerage, blocked by HoL AC but Johnson overrode this - the first time a PM has done that
what is secondary legislation?
legislation used to amend laws - primary legislation or existing laws
what makes HoL capable of creating secondary legislation vs HoC?
HoC only has 650 members. the HoL has time to amend laws and fill them in, while HoC only has time to create the general law.
HoC members must worry about being re elected while HoL members can speak freely without this fear
what are statutory instruments?
form of secondary legislation - ‘filling in’ of a bill, as HoC does not have the time to do it.
How many SIs made each year?
3500 - only 1000 pass through Parliament, most of them only considered and passed by HoL
How does delegated legislation pass?
government departments draft the contents or change the primary legislation, not passed through Parliament.
example of delayed legislation by HoL
Sexual Offences amendment act 2000 - lowering age of consent for gay sex
hunting act 2004 - banning fox hunting with a pack of hounds
