Government
House of Lords
Parliament's upper chamber; members (peers) are not elected and don't represent a constituency.
Key facts
- Before 1958: peers were hereditary, senior judges, or C of E bishops
- Since 1958: the PM can nominate 'life peers' for their own lifetime
- Since 1999: hereditary peers lost the automatic right to attend, and now elect a few to represent them
- Checks and can amend Commons laws; the Commons can overrule the Lords, but rarely does
🔍 Search more terms, or practise questions on this topic →