UK Parliament Quiz

The House of Commons is the elected chamber with 650 MPs, the Speaker, and parties organised in government and opposition. The House of Lords is unelected, made up of life peers, bishops and currently 92 hereditary peers. The Commons is the primary legislative chamber, while the Lords is a revising chamber.

MPs are elected via first-past-the-post in single-member constituencies. Lords are appointed: life peers by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister, bishops automatically from the Church of England, and hereditary peers through internal election.

Types of Peers

• Life peers: appointed for life, contribute expertise.
• Hereditary peers: reduced to 92 by the House of Lords Act 1999.
• Lords Spiritual: 26 bishops of the Church of England

This mix provides knowledge and tradition but raises questions of democratic legitimacy.

The Commons legislates, scrutinises government, represents constituents, and controls public finances. Its effectiveness is limited by strong party discipline and the government’s control of the timetable, though select committees and backbench initiatives enhance scrutiny.

The Lords revises legislation, delays bills, scrutinises government, and represents specialist interests. Its unelected nature limits legitimacy, but expertise allows more effective scrutiny, particularly of secondary legislation.

The Commons has financial privilege: it controls taxation and spending. It can also dismiss the government through a vote of no confidence. The Lords cannot veto money bills or block legislation indefinitely.

The Lords can delay bills for up to a year (except money bills), amend legislation, and force governments to reconsider policy. Its influence comes from expertise and independence rather than formal powers.

The Lords has grown more assertive since the removal of most hereditary peers in 1999, challenging governments more often. However, conventions such as the Salisbury Convention and financial privilege ensure Commons supremacy.

A bill passes through first reading, second reading, committee stage, report stage, and third reading in both Houses. Differences must be reconciled before Royal Assent. This allows scrutiny but can be slowed by government dominance in the Commons.

The Salisbury Convention prevents the Lords from blocking government manifesto commitments. It ensures an elected government can deliver its programme, maintaining the primacy of the Commons.

Backbenchers can introduce private members’ bills, question ministers, and contribute to debates. Reforms such as the Backbench Business Committee (2010) have increased their influence, though party discipline still limits their independence.

Select committees investigate government departments, produce reports, and hold ministers to account. Chairs are now elected by MPs, increasing their independence. Their recommendations carry weight but are not binding.

The opposition scrutinises government, provides an alternative government-in-waiting, and uses opposition days to set the agenda. Its effectiveness depends on unity, leadership, and resources, which can be limited compared to government control.

Parliamentary privilege protects freedom of speech in parliamentary proceedings and means MPs and peers cannot be prosecuted for what they say in debates. This allows effective scrutiny without fear of legal repercussions.

Question times allow MPs to question ministers, holding them accountable. Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) provides a weekly high-profile opportunity for direct scrutiny of the PM. Critics argue it is theatrical, but supporters claim it ensures accountability.