Selection of House of Commons and House of Lords Members (OCR A-Level Politics): Revision Notes
📚 Revision Notes
9.1.1 Selection of House of Commons and House of Lords Members
House of Commons
Overview:
- The House of Commons is the lower house of the UK Parliament.
- Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected to represent constituencies across the UK.
- The Commons is the primary legislative body, responsible for making and passing laws.
Election of MPs:
- General Elections: Held every five years under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011, though earlier elections can be called.
House of Commons (parliament)
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- First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) System: Each constituency elects one MP, who is the candidate with the most votes. This system tends to favour larger parties.
- By-elections: Held to fill vacancies that occur between general elections due to an MP's death or resignation.
Candidate Selection:
- Political Parties: Most MPs are members of political parties. Parties select candidates through internal processes, which may involve local party members or central party officials.
- Independent Candidates: Individuals not affiliated with any political party can stand for election.
Requirements for MPs:
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Must be a British citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, or a Commonwealth citizen with indefinite leave to remain.
- Certain individuals, such as members of the House of Lords, civil servants, and judges, are disqualified from becoming MPs.
House of Lords
Overview:
- The House of Lords is the upper house of the UK Parliament.
- It reviews and revises legislation proposed by the House of Commons and provides expertise and independent judgement.
Types of Peers:
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- Life Peers: Appointed by the Monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister or the House of Lords Appointments Commission. They hold their titles for life but do not pass them on to their descendants.
- Hereditary Peers: Titles are inherited, traditionally passed down through families. The House of Lords Act 1999 reduced the number of hereditary peers to 92.
- Bishops: Senior bishops of the Church of England, known as Lords Spiritual. There are 26 bishops in the House of Lords.
Appointment Process:
- Life Peers: Appointed based on merit and expertise in various fields, often recommended by political parties, non-governmental organisations, or the House of Lords Appointments Commission.
- Hereditary Peers: After the 1999 reforms, only 92 hereditary peers remain. When a hereditary peerage becomes vacant, a by-election is held within the House of Lords.
- Bishops: Automatically appointed based on their ecclesiastical position. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Archbishop of York, the Bishops of London, Durham, and Winchester, and 21 other bishops by seniority.
Reform and Criticism:
- The composition and appointment of the House of Lords have been subjects of ongoing debate and calls for reform.
- Critics argue for a more democratic and representative system, while proponents emphasise the value of experience and expertise.
Legislative Role:
- The House of Lords reviews and amends legislation from the House of Commons.
- It can delay legislation but cannot ultimately block it.
- The Lords also engage in detailed scrutiny of bills and provide a forum for debate on key national issues.
Conclusion
The selection processes for the House of Commons and the House of Lords are distinct, reflecting their different roles within the UK Parliament. MPs in the Commons are directly elected by the public, ensuring democratic representation, while peers in the Lords are appointed or inherited, bringing a wealth of expertise and experience to the legislative process. Understanding these processes is crucial for grasping the workings of the UK's political system.
Exam points:
House of Lords Reform:
For:
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- Unelected, unrepresentative chamber of Parliament
- Lack of diversity in the HoL- 26% women, 4.1% under 50 yrs old and 6.4% are from BAME backgrounds
- Only act on minor legislation
- Elective dictatorship as they abuse their power as they are unelected Occasionally, the HoL thwarts the HoC without democratic legitimacy
- Cronyism e.g. Boris Johnson. He granted a peerage to Peter Cruddas who was a former Conservative Treasurer who donated £3.5m to the party
Against:
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- 1999 House of Lords Act- removed hereditary peers and left 92. Under Tony Blair
- Provides experts who advise MPs and parties. Eg Lord Adonis advises both
- Conservatives and Labour on economics and the economy
- The House of Lords helps prevent unwanted bills. Eg the HoL stopped a cut in £30 a week in benefits for those ill and deemed unfit for work
- Life peers can't be removed e.g. Lord Oxburgh retired from the House of Lords in April 2022 at the age of 87
- Lords have frustrated Johnson and his bills- 128 times in 2021-22
- 17th Jan 2022, the government were defeated 14 times in one day
- The Lords voted in favour of removing Clause 11 of the Public Order Bill which stated that the police can stop and search without suspicion