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The British Parliament is made up of two distinct yet complementary chambers: the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The two-chamber system serves as a mechanism of checks and balances, ensuring accountability and scrutiny within each House. Whilst both Houses are responsible for forming and passing legislation, there are notable differences in their composition and functions. Hence, this article aims to provide an overview of how each chamber operates and its role in the legislative process.
After reading this fantastic explainer by Crystal, check out this very short video ⬇️
The House of Lords, also known as the ‘upper chamber’, is made up of around 780 members who are not elected by the public. There are 92 hereditary seats that are inherited generationally, while the rest of the members are appointed directly by the Prime Ministers as they are experts in their field. On the other hand, the House of Commons, the ‘lower chamber’, illustrates a democratic feature, where MPs are elected through a general election that takes place every five years. It consists of 650 MPs and each MP represents one constituency. They are therefore more concerned with the interests of their constituencies.
Even though both chambers revolve around the legislative process, their powers and roles differ significantly. The Lords experience multiple constraints on their power. For instance, the Parliament Acts of 1911 and 1949 state that the Lords do not have the power to delay money bills and the 1945 Salisbury convention laid out that the Lords does not vote at second or third reading of a government bill mentioned in an election manifesto.
What are some of their powers then?
The Lords mostly act as a revising chamber, proposing amendments and scrutinising government legislation proposed by the Commons. For example, It can delay non-financial legislation for one year. This delay allows extra scrutiny and ensures bills are examined thoroughly before being implemented to ensure they are the best course of action.
For a deeper dive into the House of Lords, check this out:
Transitioning to the House of Commons, as bills require approval from both chambers, they are in-fact initially introduced, amended, and voted on here. The Commons holds the exclusive power to consent to taxation and public expenditure, meticulously reviewing and approving government spending across various areas. Additionally, since members of the Commons are elected by their constituencies, they play a crucial role in bringing local issues to Parliament and raising awareness.
They also hold the ability to approve or reject treaties negotiated by the government. Even though MPs themselves do not have the power to negotiate treaties, any legal amendments required may need to get approval by the Commons.
Overall, the House of Lords and Commons perform distinctive yet overlapping functions in the legislature. The Lords embodies tradition and aristocratic heritage while the Commons represents democracy and popular sovereignty through the direct election of members. Combined, they form a dynamic system of checks and balances, ensuring the UK legislative process is accountable and efficient.
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