How does the Commons represent the electorate?

Question 1

1. In what sense is the Lords representative?

Answer 1

1. It contains people from a wide range of professional backgrounds.

Question 2

1. Is the House of Lords dominated by a single party?

Answer 2

1. It is not dominated by a single party in the same way the House of Commons is, as a result of the first-past-the-post voting system.

Question 3

1. Is the Lords representative of UK society?

Answer 3

1. No, more than half of members are over the age of 70, three quarters are male and 5% come from ethnic minorities.

Question 4

1. Are MPs delegates of their constituencies?

Answer 4

1. No, they use their judgement on how to vote, rather than taking instructions from those who elect them.

Question 5

1. In the past, how have MPs stood up for local interests at Westminster.

Answer 5

1. In March 2016, a number of the 44 MPs who voted against HS2, represented constituencies that would be affected by the route.

Question 6

1. What happens if an MP doesn’t fulfil the expectations of the electorate?

Answer 6

1. Voters can choose a different representative at the next elections.