House of Lords reform

Question 1

Essay structure

Answer 1

Elections would increase legitimacy - However, it would eliminate experts
Not effective enough in legislation - However, active enough already
Elected chamber would create balance of power - However, would create gridlock

Question 2

Elections would increase legitimacy (1)

Answer 2

House of Lords is elitist
PMs can nominate peers like Cameron did on his resignation where he nominated 13 cons and 1 Lab, Nick Clegg referred this to cronyism
Kier Starmer included it in his manifest

Question 3

Would eliminate experts (1)

Answer 3

Lord Walton head of BMA, sits on science and technology committee
Lord Norton is a constitutional expert
Mixture of elected and life peers now

Question 4

Not effective enough in legislation

Answer 4

Parliamentary reforms of 1911 and 1949 reduced powers
No longer can veto legislation
Any lords ammendments that are defeated 3 times are irrelevant
- Commons ignored Hunting Act 2004 and War Crimes Act 1991

Question 5

Already active enough

Answer 5

Lords sole focus is scrutiny
Has defeated the commons 14 times in Brexit legislation and 2012 welfare reform act
Over 6000 written questions a year to ministers

Question 6

An elected chamber would balance power

Answer 6

Reduce the power of the commons and check tyranny of majority
Don’t have a way of checking the PM
Salisbury convention ensures that Lords don’t vote down any legislation mentioned in manifesto

Question 7

Elected chamber would create gridlock

Answer 7

Lords already effective check after defeating coalition 48 times
More independent are there are no party whips - Lord Howard
1911 and 1949 reforms ensure there is no gridlock