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.