17. The House of Lords

House of Lords: Key Facts

1. Nature and role

The upper house of the UK Parliament (alongside the House of Commons and the Monarch).

Considered a revising and scrutinising chamber — it examines, amends, and delays legislation but cannot ultimately block it.

Part of the bicameral UK Parliament; operates under the principle of «Crown‑in‑Parliament».

2. Composition

No fixed size (currently around 800 members).

Two main categories:

Lords Spiritual (26 senior bishops of the Church of England).

Lords Temporal (lay members):

Life Peers (majority; appointed for life under the Life Peerages Act 1958, usually for public service).

Elected Hereditary Peers (92 remaining after the 1999 reform; elected from among hereditary peers).

3. Membership requirements

Must be at least 21 years old.

Must be a citizen of the UK, a Commonwealth realm, or Ireland.

Excluded: bankrupts and those convicted of treason (other convictions do not necessarily bar membership).

4. Key functions

Legislative scrutiny: examines bills from the Commons, suggests amendments (which the Commons may accept or reject).

Delays legislation: can impose a delay (suspensive veto) but not block money bills or manifesto commitments (under the Salisbury Convention).

Expertise and debate: provides detailed examination of policy, often drawing on members’ professional experience.

Holds government to account: questions ministers, conducts inquiries via committees.

5. Powers and limitations

Cannot initiate or amend money bills (financial legislation).

Cannot veto Commons legislation permanently (Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949 allow the Commons to override Lords objections after a delay).

Does not vote on confidence in the government (no power to force a resignation).

6. Governance and procedure

Lord Speaker: presides over debates (elected by peers, non‑partisan).

Leader of the House of Lords: a government minister who manages the Lords agenda.

Committees: conduct detailed scrutiny (e.g., on EU affairs, economics, science).

Debates are self‑regulated; no strict time limits on speeches.

Quorum: 3 members to debate; majority for decisions.

Key conventions

Salisbury Convention: the Lords does not oppose bills that implement the governing party’s election manifesto.

Collective responsibility does not apply (unlike the Commons); Lords may vote according to conscience.

Sits in the Palace of Westminster (Westminster, London).

Recent reforms

1999 House of Lords Act: abolished most hereditary peerages (retained 92 elected hereditary peers).

2005 Constitutional Reform Act: created the independent Lord Speaker role and transferred judicial functions to the new Supreme Court (ending the Lords’ role as the highest court of appeal).

20. Westminster Palace. Traditions of the British Parliament

Westminster Palace, also known as the Houses of Parliament, is the seat of the UK Parliament in London. Originally a royal residence, it became the home of Parliament after the 13th century. The current Gothic Revival building was largely reconstructed after the 1834 fire. Key traditions include the State Opening of Parliament, where the monarch delivers the Queen’s/King’s Speech from the House of Lords; the ceremonial mace, symbolizing royal authority; and the Speaker’s procession. Notably, the House of Commons maintains the tradition of dragging the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the Speaker’s chair—a symbolic reminder of the role’s historical peril. Parliamentary procedures like Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) reflect centuries-old customs of debate and accountability.