The House of Lords Overview

The House of Lords

• Not an elected body; members based on social standing or appointment.
• Two main types of members:
  • Lords Spiritual: Archbishops and senior Church of England bishops.
  • Lords Temporal: Important noblemen (peers).
• Peerage: Aristocratic title.
• Originally hereditary titles granted by the monarch for service or merit; often associated with geographic locations (e.g., Duke of Buckingham).
• Peerages were inherited by the eldest male heir. With no male heir, titles reverted to the monarch who potentially granted it to another family.
• This system created the British aristocracy.
• 20th-century decline in significance with over 700 hereditary peers.
• 1958: Introduction of life peerages, not inheritable. Awarded to prominent figures (former ministers, judges, etc.).
• 1999: Labour government reform removed automatic hereditary peer representation. A compromise elected 92 hereditary peers for an unspecified duration.
• Current Composition (2014):
  • 26 hereditary peers.
  • 2 Archbishops and 24 senior bishops (Lords Spiritual).
  • 92 elected hereditary peers.
  • Life peers (number fluctuates, exceeds 600).
• Lord Chancellor:
  • Cabinet member, equivalent to a European minister of justice.
  • Leader of England's highest court of appeal. Thus, is a key figure in legislative, executive and judicial branches.
  • Removed from the Lords leadership position in 2005.
• Current Leadership (since 2006): Elected Lord Speaker
• House of Lords Chamber:
  • Similar layout to the Commons chamber (rows of benches).
  • More ornate decorations.
  • Includes the monarch's throne for the Queen's Speech.
  • Lord Speaker/deputy sits on a "Woolsack."
  • Separate cross-benches exist for independent members.
• Party Affiliation:
  • Traditionally a Conservative majority due to hereditary peers' historical connection to the Conservative Party.
  • Removal of most hereditary peers in 1999 shifted party balance, leading to more Labour life peers.
• Lords Critique of Government:
  • Peers, being less constrained by party politics tend to express more critical views of government proposals than MPs.
  • This independence allows them to reflect public opinion.
• Chamber (Lord's) Atmosphere:
  • Generally described as maintaining higher standards of politeness compared to the Commons.

This quiz explores the composition and significance of the House of Lords, detailing its members, the historical context of peerage, and recent reforms. Understand the roles of Lords Spiritual and Lords Temporal and the evolution of the British aristocracy over time.