The House Of Lords

Question 1

What is the House of Lords?

Answer 1

. The House of Lords is an unelected body and is subordinate to the House of Commons, it contains 761 MPs.
. The House of Lords has the power to delay most bills passed by the Commons for up to a year. The Lords can also propose amendments to particular bills.

Question 2

What did the 1911 parliament Act do?

Answer 2

. It stopped the Lords blocking bills indefinitely
. It also stopped the Lords from from delaying money bills/ bills that include provisions on taxation and expenditure.
. The Act transformed the House of Lords into its current state as a revising chamber.

Question 3

What are the arguments for abolishing the House of Lords?

Answer 3

. Is un democratic due to it not being an elected body
. Lack of accountability/ the Lords as a group are free to make any decision they see fit without fear of scrutiny, only individual peers can be investigated e.g. During the cash for questions scandal of 1994.

Question 4

What are the arguments for keeping the House of Lords?

Answer 4

. Prevents a government/ prime minister becoming too powerful/ becoming an elected dictatorship as the Lords prevent the government passing and bringing into effect any legislation they want.
. Expertise - All the members of the Lords have been involved in politics for a long time and as a result of this have a lot of experience when it comes to government matters and will therefore know how to handle proposed governmental policy.
. Less partisan - Means Lords do not strongly support any of the political parties/ you could describe them as politically neutral and as a result won’t make decisions that directly benefit a political party.

Question 5

State 3 failed attempts at reforming parliament

Answer 5

. House of Lords bill 2012
. The Wakeham report 2000
. White Paper 2008