The British Parliament: A Bicameral Institution

The Structure and Origins of the British Parliament

The British Parliament, the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, is a bicameral institution comprising the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The House of Commons is composed of Members of Parliament (MPs) who are elected to represent constituencies. It is the primary legislative chamber where the government is formed by the majority party or coalition. The House of Lords, traditionally a body of hereditary nobility and clergy, now includes appointed life peers, bishops, and a limited number of hereditary peers. The Parliament's roots can be traced back to the early medieval period, with the Magna Carta of 1215 establishing the principle that the king could not levy taxes without the consent of his royal council, which evolved into the Parliament. The modern bicameral structure was established in the 14th century, with the House of Commons gaining ascendancy over the Lords, particularly after the English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution of 1688.

The Transformation of the House of Lords

The House of Lords has experienced transformative changes throughout its history, with the most significant reforms occurring in the 20th and 21st centuries. Originally composed of aristocrats with hereditary titles and senior bishops, the Lords' composition and powers have been altered to better reflect modern democratic values. The Life Peerages Act 1958 allowed for the appointment of life peers with no hereditary rights, diversifying the membership. The House of Lords Act 1999 further reduced the number of hereditary peers to 92, selected from among their own number. The Lords Spiritual (bishops of the Church of England) continue to have a role, though their number has been capped at 26. The Lords' legislative role, while secondary to the Commons, remains significant in scrutinizing and revising legislation.

Current Composition of the House of Lords

The House of Lords is currently composed of life peers, hereditary peers, Lords Spiritual, and Law Lords (judges of the Supreme Court until 2009, when the judicial function was separated). Life peers are appointed on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and are typically individuals who have achieved distinction in various fields. The 92 hereditary peers retain their seats through a system of elections within the House. The Lords Spiritual include the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, the Bishops of London, Durham, and Winchester, and 21 other bishops. Crossbenchers, who sit on the benches that cross the chamber, are peers without party affiliation and play a crucial role in the non-partisan scrutiny of legislation. The Lord Speaker presides over the House but has a more limited role compared to the Speaker of the House of Commons.

Legislative Role of the House of Lords

The House of Lords performs a vital function in the UK's legislative process by revising and scrutinizing bills passed by the House of Commons. While it cannot ultimately block legislation, it can propose amendments and delay bills, except for money bills which it can only delay for a month. The Lords also conducts detailed examination of legislation through committee work. The Salisbury Convention dictates that the Lords should not oppose legislation promised in the government's election manifesto, thereby respecting the democratic mandate of the Commons. The Lords' ability to review legislation provides an essential check on the powers of the elected chamber, ensuring that laws are considered carefully and from multiple perspectives.

Distinctive Functions of the House of Commons and the House of Lords

The House of Commons and the House of Lords serve different functions within the UK's parliamentary system. The Commons is the primary legislative body, with the power to originate and pass legislation, and it controls public spending and taxation. It is directly accountable to the electorate, with MPs facing re-election every five years or sooner if a general election is called. The Lords, on the other hand, acts as a revising chamber, providing expertise and a longer-term view on legislation. It can delay legislation but not indefinitely block it, except in certain circumstances. The Lords also holds the government to account through questioning ministers and conducting inquiries. The distinct roles of the two Houses ensure a balance of power and a comprehensive legislative process.

Modernization and Reform of the House of Lords

The House of Lords has been subject to ongoing debates and reforms aimed at modernizing the institution and improving its democratic legitimacy. The House of Lords Reform Act 1999 was a significant step in reducing the number of hereditary peers. Subsequent discussions have focused on further reforms, including the possibility of introducing elections for some or all members of the Lords. The House of Lords Reform Act 2014 introduced provisions for the resignation and expulsion of members, and for the disqualification of members with non-attendance or criminal convictions. These reforms reflect efforts to ensure that the Lords remains an effective and accountable part of the UK's parliamentary democracy.