Podcast
Questions and Answers
Tony Blair's hereditary peerage removal was intended to make the House of Lords more ______.
Tony Blair's hereditary peerage removal was intended to make the House of Lords more ______.
democratic
Almost all hereditary peers were removed, with only ______ remaining.
Almost all hereditary peers were removed, with only ______ remaining.
92
The system is more akin to a private members club than a national legislature, where hereditary peers remain a ______.
The system is more akin to a private members club than a national legislature, where hereditary peers remain a ______.
feature
Some argue that the House of Lords has become increasingly ______.
Some argue that the House of Lords has become increasingly ______.
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The House of Lords ensures power to govern and legislate are accessible to those qualified by ______ rather than birth.
The House of Lords ensures power to govern and legislate are accessible to those qualified by ______ rather than birth.
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The Good Friday Agreement in 1998 restored self-governance to ______.
The Good Friday Agreement in 1998 restored self-governance to ______.
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The shift from SV to ______ in mayoral elections allows a winner without a majority.
The shift from SV to ______ in mayoral elections allows a winner without a majority.
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Devolved parliaments and assemblies aimed to quell ______ settlements.
Devolved parliaments and assemblies aimed to quell ______ settlements.
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A government with a majority in the House of Commons can push through legislation with minimal parliamentary ______.
A government with a majority in the House of Commons can push through legislation with minimal parliamentary ______.
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The House of ______'s lack of democratic legitimacy limits its ability to challenge the government.
The House of ______'s lack of democratic legitimacy limits its ability to challenge the government.
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Flashcards
Devolution
Devolution
The transfer of power to local governments or regions, allowing greater autonomy.
Good Friday Agreement
Good Friday Agreement
A 1998 accord restoring self-governance in Northern Ireland through power-sharing mechanisms.
FPTP (First Past the Post)
FPTP (First Past the Post)
An electoral system where the candidate with the most votes wins, regardless of majority.
Judicial Reform
Judicial Reform
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House of Lords (HOL) Weakness
House of Lords (HOL) Weakness
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Hereditary Peers
Hereditary Peers
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House of Lords Reform
House of Lords Reform
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Democratic Representation
Democratic Representation
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Power of the House of Lords
Power of the House of Lords
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Arguments for Hereditary Peers
Arguments for Hereditary Peers
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Study Notes
Constitutional Reform Since 1997:
- Devolution: Established devolved parliaments and assemblies, allowing greater autonomy and self-governance, aimed to quell nationalist settlements.
- Evidence: Good Friday Agreement 1998, restored NI self-governance based on power-sharing, included de-militarisation and parliamentary disarmament reform, ended 30+ years of conflict, increase in representation of unionists and nationalists
- Increase in representation, devolved assemblies representing both unionist and nationalists controlled key areas: education and healthcare; vote on key issues.
- For: House of Lords have become increasingly representative body, hereditary peers bring diversity to the house, way of aligning the House with key principles of democracy, ensures power to govern and legislate are accessible to those qualified by merit rather than birth.
Against:
- The agreement collapsed late 2002
- NI remains polarized, rhetoric of media and parties have downward spiraled.
- Spirit of partnership between nationalists and unionist is withering with few vocal proponents in political realm
- Succession of constitutional reform can be challenged and argued ineffective due to recurring NI government collapse.
Shift from SV to FPTP in Mayoral Elections:
- FPTP allows a winner without majority support
- Leaves a large proportion unrepresented
- Encourages tactical voting, polarization in favour of bigger parties
- Against: simpler and easier to understand, quicker, cheaper
- 2021 mayoral election 42.1% voter turnout, Sadia Khan winning - most publicized mayoral elections.
Judicial Reform:
- Parliament is at the centre of UK constitution, but struggles to fulfil its role as a constitutional check
- Govt with majority in HoC can push through any legislation with minimal parliamentary scrutiny
- HoL lacks democratic legitimacy to challenge govt.
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Description
This quiz examines the reforms introduced by Tony Blair regarding the hereditary peerage in the House of Lords. Answer questions about the impact of these reforms and the current structure of the House of Lords in relation to governance and democratic legitimacy.
