Parliamentary reform since 1997

Question 1

Prior to the HOL Act 1999, how many hereditary peers were there among the 1,330 members?

Answer 1

759

Question 2

How many members of the HOL were there prior to the HOL Act 1999?

Answer 2

1,330

Question 3

How many Conservative and Labour peers were there in the HOL pre- HOL Act 1999?

Answer 3

Conservative -471

Labour-179

Question 4

Under what amendment were 92 hereditary peers allowed to stay on in a transitional House prior to further reform?

Answer 4

the Weatherill Amendment

Question 5

Following the report of which Commission in 2000, did Labour’s 2001 White Paper propose a second chamber consisting of 600 members, 20% of whom would be directly elected and the remained being appointed under auspices of an Independent Appointments Commission?

Answer 5

the Wakeham Commission 2000

Question 6

Following the report of the Wakeham Commission 2000 what did Labour’s 2001 White Paper propose ?

Answer 6

proposed a second chamber consisting of 600 members, 20% of which would be directly elected, the remainder of whom would be appointed under the auspices of an Independent Appointments Commission

Question 7

Amid the accusations of cronyism, what did opposition parties demand in the second stage of the Lords reform?

Answer 7

for an 80% elected chamber

Question 8

How many models were the commons presented with during the Second stage of the Lords reform ranging from fully elected hammers to its total abolition?

Answer 8

8 models

Question 9

When did the Commons reject all 8 proposals?

Answer 9

February 2003

Question 10

In its 2005 general election manifesto what did Labour promise in regards to the second stage of Lords reform?

Answer 10

a ‘predominantly elected’ second chamber would replace the lords

Question 11

When did Labour promise a ‘predominantly elected’ second chamber which would replace the lords?

Answer 11

in its 2005 general election manifesto

Question 12

When did Labours 2005 general election manifesto pledge for a ‘predominantly elected’ second chamber to replace the Lords eventually find form as a White Paper?

Answer 12

2007

Question 13

What were the highlights of the 2007 White Paper on Lords reform? (5)

Answer 13

• HOC would retain its primacy over legislation
• an upper chamber split 50:50 between elected and appointed members
• Elections to be held under a partially open regional system
• Statutory Appointments Commission to make appointments , with 20% of those chosen being non-political appointees
• A chamber where no single party would be allowed to enjoy an overall majority

Question 14

What was the Commons majority in favour of an entire elected second chamber following the 2007 White Paper on Lords reform ?

Answer 14

113

Question 15

Why is further reform of the HOL problematic ? (2)

Answer 15

• there is no real consensus about the best way forward

- there is a general sense that the transitional chamber has performed its functions well

Question 16

What was the majority won by MPs who wanted an all elected house?

Answer 16

113

Question 17

What was the majority won by peers who were against a fully elected chamber?

Answer 17

majority of 204