{"id":59,"date":"2025-08-07T20:40:30","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T20:40:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/routledgelearning.com\/politicsuk\/?p=59"},"modified":"2025-10-10T12:49:45","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T12:49:45","slug":"chapter-17","status":"publish","type":"content","link":"https:\/\/routledgelearning.com\/politicsuk\/part-4-the-legislative-process\/chapter-17\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 17"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n
\n\tHome\n<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Chapter 17<\/h1>\n\n\n

The House of Lords<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Chapter Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Lords serves as a notable body of scrutiny \u2013 both of legislation and of administration and public policy \u2013 and as a body for giving expression to views that otherwise would not be put on the public record. As such, it adds value to the political process. The fact that it is not elected means that it has limited significance as a body for legitimising government and measures of public policy and as a body through which politicians are recruited to ministerial office. The fact that it is not elected also makes it a target of continuing demands for reform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The question of what to do with the House of Lords has been a matter of debate for more than a century. The election of a Labour government in 1997, committed to reform of the House, brought it to the forefront of debate. The removal in 1999 of most hereditary peers from membership fundamentally changed the composition of the House. It became a chamber composed overwhelmingly of life peers. For some, that was a perfectly acceptable chamber. For others, it was not. The House of Lords serves not only as a forum to discuss political issues. It is itself a political issue. That is likely to remain the case.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n
\n

Learning Objectives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • To describe the nature, the development and role of the House of Lords.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • To identify the extent and consequences of fundamental changes made to the House in recent years.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • To assess proposals for further change to the second chamber.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
    \n\n\n\n
    \n

    Quizzes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Test your knowledge with the Chapter 17 quizzes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    \n

    Quiz<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n