Structure & Role of the Houses of Commons & Lords

The Parliament of the United Kingdom is one of the oldest in the world, revered for its traditions, complex procedures, and ongoing evolution. It is bicameral, composed of two separate chambers: the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Each chamber possesses its own distinct structure, methods of selection, and functions, all contributing to the UK's constitutional framework and democratic governance.

The Structure of the House of Commons

The House of Commons is the lower chamber of Parliament and the principal legislative body in the UK. Its membership stands at 650 elected MPs (Members of Parliament), each representing a single parliamentary constituency. The Commons chamber is laid out in a rectangular form, with government MPs seated to the Speaker’s right and opposition MPs to the left.

Leadership and Organisation

At the head of the House of Commons is the Speaker, who is responsible for maintaining order and overseeing debates. The Speaker is elected by MPs from among their number. Supporting the Speaker are three Deputy Speakers. The Chief Whip, party whips, and various party leaders also play crucial organisational roles, ensuring discipline and the smooth running of parliamentary business.

Committee System

A robust committee system supports the Commons, including select committees (which scrutinise the work of government departments), public bill committees (which scrutinise proposed legislation), and liaison committees. These committees form the backbone of detailed parliamentary scrutiny.

The Structure of the House of Lords

The House of Lords is the upper chamber, traditionally seen as a revising and scrutinising body. There is no fixed number of members, though membership usually hovers around 800. Its seating arrangement is similar to the Commons, with crossbenches for independent members.

Leadership and Organisation

The Lords is presided over by the Lord Speaker, who has a more limited role compared to the Commons Speaker, as day-to-day proceedings are shaped by tradition and self-regulation. Party leaders, the Government Chief Whip (the Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms), and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lords occupy influential positions.

Committee System

The Lords has its own select committees, including the Economic Affairs Committee and the Science and Technology Committee, each focusing on specialist scrutiny.

Selection of Members

House of Commons

Members of the House of Commons are elected by the public in general elections using the First Past the Post (FPTP) electoral system. Each MP serves a single geographic constituency, and the candidate with the most votes in each constituency is elected. General elections are held at least every five years, though they can be called earlier. Eligibility to stand includes being aged 18 or over and a British citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, or a qualifying Commonwealth citizen.

House of Lords

Membership of the House of Lords is unelected, comprised of three main categories:

• Life Peers: Appointed under the Life Peerages Act 1958, life peers are nominated by the Prime Minister or opposition leaders, vetted by the House of Lords Appointments Commission, and appointed by the Sovereign. They cannot pass their titles on to descendants. Life peers now constitute the majority of the Lords.
• Hereditary Peers: Historically, hereditary peers inherited their membership from their ancestors. The House of Lords Act 1999 reduced their numbers to 92, chosen by internal election among hereditary peers. When a vacancy arises, a by-election is held. The UK Parliament is in the process of phasing out hereditary peers through the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill 2024–25.
• Bishops: The Lords Spiritual are 26 senior Church of England bishops, including the Archbishops of Canterbury and York. Their seats reflect the established status of the Church of England.

Main Functions of the House of Commons

• Legislation: The Commons examines, debates, amends, and passes laws. Most legislation originates here, especially financial (money) bills, which cannot be blocked by the Lords.
• Representation: MPs represent the interests of their constituents, voicing local and national concerns in debates, questions, and votes.
• Scrutiny of the Executive: Through debates, Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), select committees, and urgent questions, MPs hold the government to account, examining its decisions and policies.
• Budget and Public Finances: The Commons solely initiates and approves public spending and taxation decisions.
• Redress of Grievances: MPs take up issues on behalf of their constituents, helping resolve problems with the government or public services.

Extent to Which Functions Are Fulfilled

The Commons is effective in passing legislation and representation. Plurality voting and party discipline mean the government can usually pass its bills, but this can limit scrutiny. Select committees are increasingly influential in holding ministers to account, although government majorities and the whips’ system can reduce independence.

Main Functions of the House of Lords

• Scrutiny and Revision of Legislation: The Lords provides detailed scrutiny and revision of bills passed by the Commons. Amendments are often proposed by specialists and experts.
• Delaying Legislation: The Lords can delay (but not block) legislation for up to one year under the Parliament Acts of 1911 and 1949.
• Expertise: Many Lords members are appointed for their expertise in law, business, science, or public service, providing specialist input into debates and committee work.
• Debate and Inquiry: The Lords holds debates on policy issues, often more in-depth than those in the Commons, and undertakes inquiries via committees.
• Non-Partisan Voice: The crossbench members are unaffiliated to any party and offer independent perspectives on issues.

Extent to Which Functions Are Fulfilled

The Lords performs its revising role effectively, often improving legislation and acting as a check on government. Its lack of democratic legitimacy, however, means its amendments can be overturned by the Commons. The Lords is especially strong on scrutiny, debate, and expertise, but its unelected status is continuously debated.

Comparing Roles and Impact

The Commons wields greater power in initiating and passing laws, controlling public finances, and determining government leadership (as the Prime Minister must maintain Commons confidence). The Lords, while subordinate, plays a valuable role in refining legislation, raising long-term or specialist concerns, and acting as a revising chamber.

Summary

The House of Commons and House of Lords are integral to the UK’s legislative process, each with distinctive structures, methods of selection, and functions. While the Commons exercises democratic legitimacy and primary legislative authority, the Lords enhances scrutiny and expertise. Debates about reform; especially of the Lords continue, reflecting the evolving nature of British democracy.