? Essay, Research Paper
Clearly, in such a populated country such as Great Britain, a Second Chamber of Parliament also known as the House of Lords is necessary. Although the House of Lords cannot execute much power, compared to the House of Commons, it is a vital part of British Government. The House of Lords plays an important part in revising, potentially delaying legislation and as well as keeping a check on Government by scrutinising its activities. It complements the work of the Commons, whose members are elected to represent their constituents. Members of the Lords are not elected and are unpaid. Most peers have a wide range of experience as most have retired from a political career. For example, there have been 158 members of the House of Lords that were once MPs, (the breakdown is as follows; Conservatives 77, Labour 55, Liberal Democrats 14, Crossbenchers 9, other 3) . Peers also provide a source of independent expertise as the House has among its members a number of University Chancellors, professors, and writers. The House also has a judicial role as the final Court of Appeal . Although the House of Lords perform many functions to help Government flow smoothly, it has many flaws including being undemocratic as members are appointed, not voted in by the people (as mentioned before). In this essay, there will be arguments both for and against the Second Chamber being part of British Government. Also, it will be discussed how the role of the Second Chamber has changed throughout history.
To understand the functions of the House of Lords, one has to first look at how it has evolved throughout history. The House of Lords has slowly lost its power throughout time. During the 1800’s, the two houses of Parliament remained nearly equal in power. Although the Commons had control over money bills, the Lords had the power to veto legislation. Soon, in 1909, a dispute broke out between the House of Commons and the House of Lords over a budget that was rejected by the Lords. Two years later, the Parliamentary Act of 1911 came into effect and the House of Lords lost its vetoing power. Under this new act, the Lords were permitted to delay money bills for only one month and non-money bills for a minimum of two years. Soon, the Parliamentary Act of 1949 reduced to one year the length of time that the Lords could postpone non-money bills. Under Tony Blair?s Labour Government, the number of peers in the House of Lords has dropped. The Labour Government was unhappy with that fact that only about 20% of all peers ever bothered to attend regularly. Also, Labour was dissatisfied that most members of the House were there because they had a hereditary title. In December 1999, the number of peers in the House of Lords dropped from 1296 (759 being hereditary peers) to 666 members (92 being hereditary peers). There was also the introduction of 33 new life peers . The reduction in hereditary peers means that for the first time the majority of peers are affiliated with the Labour Party instead of the Conservatives.
The House of Lords plays an important part in revising legislation (58% of the time in session is spend revising legislation) and keeping a check on Government by scrutinising its activities (38% of the time in session is spent doing that) . Unlike the House of Commons, the House of Lords does not have a certain timetable (known as a guillotine) so peers can discuss important issues in more detail than in the House of Commons, although peers normally try to keep to a fifteen-minute time limit for their speeches . There have also been many instances of late-night fixtures, last one being in October 3rd, 2000. With scrutinising bills in mind, peers have distinguished themselves in many fields of study including the sciences, law, education, industry, industrial relations and many others. They can look at relevant legislation from the perspective of practitioners in the field rather than from the perspective of elected party politicians. The House also serves as an important revising chamber as peers try to ensure that the bill represents its idea clearly, for example, so judges will understand them clearly. In order to improve a bill, the House suggests amendments, the final decision though comes from the House of Commons whom most of the time accepts changes. In this aspect, the House is very important as it complements the work done in the House of Commons. The House of Lords is a very important as a revising chamber. For example, the House of Lords have made more amendments to legislation than the House of Commons. In the 1995-96 session, for example, 422 amendments to Government Bills were made in the House of Commons compared to 1,133 amendments made in the House of Lords. The House also has many committees including the European Union Committee, which undertakes scrutiny of draft European legislation. All these points clearly show that the Second Chamber has much power to influence Government
The House of Lords is the highest court of appeal within the United Kingdom.
Arguably, its most powerful part is its ability to delay legislation for a maximum of one year. First, a bill has to go through a process of three hearings (same as the House of Commons). First reading is known as a formal reading as the bill is not discussed only introduced. Second readings, constitute debates although voting is rare at this stage. Third hearing constitutes more debates and at the end, voting takes place. The less crowded timetable of the House allows such a procedure to have all the time it needs, as well as emphases on ensuring that the bill is well drafted and coherent. The voting system is simple majority and if the majority (50% +1) vote yes for the vote, the bill is passed, if the majority vote no for the bill, the bill is defeated. After it is defeated, the House of Commons may choose to introduce it again but without having the approval of the House of Lords (after one year). In this aspect, the House of Lords works also as a strategic House in many aspects. For example, a party may try to pass a controversial bill and be rejected by the Lords in order to give the public enough time to understand the specific issue. Since most people in the Lords favour Labour, (as most hereditary peers that were Conservative have left) peers may favour rejecting more ?conservative? bills and having an easier time passing more bills proposed by the Labour Party. This can prove to be very strategic in the future. For example, if the Conservative Party happens to win a general election in the near future, they will have a very hard time passing bills because of the Lords? affiliation with Labour.
Although, the House of Lords hold many positive aspects, it has aspects that need to be changed. For example, peers are appointed, not elected. Also, their representation does not mimic society. For example, the average age of all members is 67 years, there are only 111 women compared to 565 men, there are very few ethnic minorities and the 21 seats entitled for the Church of England should be entitled to represent other religions. The House also does not represent the political affiliation of the people. The Wakeham Report specifies many proposals for the new House of Lords of the future including changes to the above. Also, the report calls for elected regional members so it can, ?Give a voice in Parliament for all parts of British society.? .
All in all, the House of Lords works very well and it would not make sense to remove its presence from Government. The House of Lords works to revise legislation ensuring it is coherent. It also works by keeping a check on Government by scrutinising its activities. Many people do not realise that the House of Lords is influential in Government. For example, it can delay legislation for a maximum of one year. It is also made up of many committees that make sure that Government is working efficiently. Although there are some problems with the House of Lords including being undemocratic, overall it works very well.
Другие работы по теме:
House of Lords
В 1987 году клавишник Грег Джиуффриа добросовестно трудился в проекте имени себя самого ("Giuffria"). Его команда готовилась к записи третьего альбома, но тут пути Грега пересеклись с Джином Симмонсом.
Сочинения по Великобритании
Art galereys of London Speaking about art galereys of London we should first of all mention The national galery, The national portret galerey and The tate galery. I would like to tell you about National portret galery and about Tate galery.
British Parlament
British Parliament Great Britain is a constitutional monarchy. This means that it has a monarch as its Head of the State. The monarch reigns with the support of Parliament. The powers of the monarch are not defined precisely. Everything today is done in the Queen’s name. It is her government, her armed forces, her law courts and so on.
Judicial Precedent Essay Research Paper ESSAY a
Judicial Precedent Essay, Research Paper ESSAY: a) Explain and illustrate the operation of the doctrine of judicial precedent. b) How far is it true to say judges are bound by decisions in earlier cases?
Oliver Cromwell Essay Research Paper OLIVER CROMWELLAs
Oliver Cromwell Essay, Research Paper OLIVER CROMWELL As someone who stated watching the movie not knowing anything about the civil war the movie Oliver Cromwell came across as a good illustrator of the actual civil war. The movie made king Charles I come across as a king that was always committing unlawful acts, while looking out for himself and his people.
A Haunted House Treasures Of Life Essay
, Research Paper A Haunted House: Treasures of Life The short story “A Haunted House” is story with meaning, by portraying to us the treasure of life. When two ghosts are searching through their old house,
Serfs Essay Research Paper They are the
Serfs Essay, Research Paper They are the ones who supply the lord with food. They are the ones who do the lords work. they are the ones bound to the land, never to leave it. They are the ones who do all these things without reward. They are the serfs. In return for all of their work the lord protects them. It was said by nobles and lords, that without protection they would surely be looted and killed.
Feudal Relationship Of Lord And Vassal And
The Fal Essay, Research Paper the feudal relationship of lord and vassal. What were their responsibilities toward each other?The relationship of lord and vassal was very close. Here are 3 main points:It was an honorable relationship between legal equals. Only nobles could be vassals. The greater lords were vassals and tenants of the King.
The Conflict Of Race In Ivanhoe Essay
, Research Paper The Conflict of Race in IvanhoeSir Walter Scott in his novel Ivanhoe uses race as his central conflict. The races are those of the conquered Saxons and their ruling lords, the Normans. Scott introduces the conflict by focusing on a dialogue between two men of the lowest class, Saxon thralls.
Definition Of Feudalism Essay Research Paper Feudalism
Definition Of Feudalism Essay, Research Paper Feudalism is not an easy term to define. The use of the word feudalism was not a term that is created by scholars in the seventeenth century, well after the medieval age. Thus
Feudalism Essay Research Paper The Growth Of
Feudalism Essay, Research Paper The Growth Of Feudalism during the Middle Ages Western Europe operated under feudalism, which is a political, social, and economic system. It was a mixture
Great Britain-London
Great Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is separated from the continent of Europe by the English Channel and the North Sea.
Criminal Justice Essay Research Paper In this
Criminal Justice Essay, Research Paper In this paper I will attempt to explain how the United States Criminal Justice System and Ireland has some different characteristics. They both share some of the same practices in each system. I will give a brief history of both countries and the way their system works.
Define Democratic Government Essay Research Paper 1
Define Democratic Government Essay, Research Paper 1. Define Democratic Government. Suggest three Democratic inadequacies in Britain today. Democratic government is a political system based on the principles of freedom and equality. Democratic government mental systems embrace multi-party Parliament.
Fall Of The House Of Usher By
Egar Allen Poe Essay, Research Paper Will Lewis “The Fall of the House of Usher” The story starts out with the narrator riding up to an old and gloomy house. He stresses that the overall persona of the house is very eerie. The reason he is at this house is because he received a letter from an old friend by the name of Roderick Usher.
Untitled Essay Research Paper The Rebellion Against
Untitled Essay, Research Paper The Rebellion Against Victorianism The 1890’s was in time for transformation for the English society. After Queen Victoria died the heart of the Victorian culture seemed to fade. England was beginning to experience economic competition from other states and a gradual decline from its former pinnacle of power.
Margaret Thatcher Essay Research Paper Margaret ThatcherMargaret
Margaret Thatcher Essay, Research Paper Margaret Thatcher Margaret Thatcher was the longest serving Prime Minister for more than a century and was the first woman to serve as Prime Minister. A graduate of Oxford, with a master of arts degree she worked as a research chemist and a barrister, concentrating on tax law, before being elected to the House of Commons in 1953.
Essay Grandfather
’s Old House Essay, Research Paper I will always remember my grandfather’s old house. It was a very old house bilt in 1911 in an old South-East European style. The house was made of old Dalmatian stone, red bricks, and white lime. It took a lot of time, perspiration and effort to build this house.Therefore,this unusual old-fashioned building was very valuable.
In HOuse Pollution Essay Research Paper IntroductionThe
In HOuse Pollution Essay, Research Paper Introduction The phrase ?House? isn?t a strange thing for us. Everyone in the earth wish to has his or her own house to live in. People use their house for shelter and a place to sleep, cook, bath, relax and many more. What?s the most important is that they could spend their time with their families.
Judicial Precedent Essay Plan Essay Research Paper
Judicial Precedent Essay planIntro Say what precedent is: ?Stare decesis et non quieta movere? = Stand by what has been decided and do not unsettle the established. Which means a decision made in one case is binding on all
The Scarlet Letter Governor Bellingham And Hypocrisy
Essay, Research Paper Governor Bellingham is the leader of the Boston Colony. He is therefore supposed to be one of the most pious and upstanding members of the community. As he ?makes the rules?, he is supposed to follow them to the letter. This is why, when Hester visits his house to deliver his gloves, she is so surprised at its state.
British Parliament Essay Research Paper The House
British Parliament Essay, Research Paper The House of Commons and the House of Lords The British parliament consists of the Queen and two chambers, the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The functions of the parliament are to pass laws, to provide taxes and to control the actions of the government. The Queen still plays a role, but only a formal one.
There Will Come Soft Rains Essay Research
Paper There Will Come Soft Rains is about a house. The house is fully automated. Everything from the garage door to cleaning mice is automated. As the day goes on, the house recognizes to time and starts tasks at certain times. The house can recognize the dog’s bark and let it come inside. It also has a weather box, which determines the outside weather and plays a song or poem.
My Duties about the house
My name is ...... I am 17 years old. I have already finished my school. My duties about the house are to clean the rooms, to wash the dishes after meals, to do shopping.
From the history of Great Britain the Magma Carta
Great Britain is a monarchy, but the power of the King or Queen is limited. The supreme authority of the country is Parliament, which consists of three etements-the Monarchy, the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
The political system of Great Britain
Great Britain is only major country in the world, which does not have a written constitution set out in a single document. The constitution in the UK is made up of Acts of Parliament, common law and conventions which may be changed by general agreement.