House of Lords Flashcards
What is the House of Lords?
Unelected chamber which is responsible for reviewing and scrutinizing legislation.
What is the Legislature comprised of?
- House of Commons
- House of Lords
- Queen
How are members of the House of Lords appointed?
By the Queen on the advice of the PM
What are non-party-political members?
Members of House of Lords not affiliated with any political group.
Which body is responsible for appointing non-party-political members to HoL?
House of Lords Appointments Commission.
Other responsibilities which House of Lords Appointments Commission have?
- Recommends individuals for appointment as non-party-political life peers.
- Vets nominations for life peers
What is a life peer?
Peers whose titles cannot be inherited
What is a bicameral legislature?
Legislatures with two chambers.
Advantages of HoL being unelected?
- Less accountability
- Greater independence to scrutinize government legislation.
Main legislation that relates to HoL?
- Parliament Act 1911
- Parliament Act 1949
- House of Lords Act 1999
- Constitutional Reform Act 2005
Parliament Act 1911
Removed power to veto bill from HoL
Parliament Act 1949
- Reduced Lords powers of delay to 1 year.
- Consent not required for money bills.
Constitutional Reform Act 2005
- Increased separation of powers, Lord Chancellor no longer speaker for HoL.
Role of the speaker within HoL?
- Ensures security of House
- Acts as ambassador for house
- Offers procedural advice
- Chairs committee of whole house
Money Bill
Bills designed to raise capital through taxes
Public Bill
Proposals for primary legislation that applies to general public
Private members bill
Non-Govt sponsored bills introduced by non-ministerial MPs
Private Bills
Bills which only impact particular people
House of Lords Act 1999
Ended voting rights for hereditary peers. Reduced their numbers down to 92.
Key Cases;
Jackson v Attorney General
Responsibilities of HoL?
Debating matters of public interest
Reviewing Govt legislation
Scrutinizes executive
Used to be Supreme Court of Appeal
Salisbury Convention
States that the Lords will not vote down a Bill that seeks to enact a manifesto pledge on which a government was elected. Means the lords will submit to the will of the Govt of the day, rather than attempt to vote them down at second or third reading.
Jackson v Attorney General
Govt introduced Hunting Act which was opposed by HoL. They used Parliament Act 1949 to prevent opposition from HoL. Claimant asserted that Hunting Act 2004 was invalid, as Parliament Act 1949 was unlawful. It was held that Parliament acts should be considered enacted law and therefore the Hunting Act 2004 is valid.
