UK Parliament – House of Commons and House of Lords
The UK Parliament has two chambers: the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Together with the monarch (who formally signs laws – “Royal Assent”) they form Parliament in Westminster, London.
House of Commons (lower house)
Members: 650 MPs (Members of Parliament) – each one is elected in one constituency.
Term: maximum 5 years – a general election must take place at least every five years (it can also be earlier).
Functions:
- Making laws – debating and voting on bills; most laws start here.
- Controlling money – deciding on taxes and the budget (“money bills”).
- Forming the government – the leader of the party with a majority becomes Prime Minister.
- Checking the government – debates, committees, Prime Minister’s Questions (every Wednesday).
- Representing the people – it is the only elected chamber, so it has the final say.
House of Lords (upper house)
Members: about 800–830 – one of the largest parliamentary chambers in the world. Members are not elected:
- Life peers – the large majority; appointed by the King on the advice of the Prime Minister (often experts: doctors, judges, scientists, former politicians).
- Lords Spiritual – 26 bishops of the Church of England.
- Hereditary peers – 92 seats inherited through noble families (a recent reform is removing these seats, so the current number may differ from the textbook).
Term: no fixed term – life peers stay members for life (they can retire); bishops sit as long as they hold their office.
Functions:
- Revising laws – checking and improving bills from the Commons, suggesting amendments.
- Delaying laws – it can delay most bills for about one year, money bills only for about one month, but it cannot stop them permanently (Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949).
- Checking the government – questions to ministers, debates and expert committees.
- Bringing in expertise – many members are experts in their field.
Quick comparison
| House of Commons | House of Lords | |
|---|---|---|
| Members | 650 MPs | about 800–830 |
| How they get there | elected | appointed / inherited / bishops |
| Term | max. 5 years | for life (no fixed term) |
| Main role | makes laws, controls money, forms and checks the government | revises and delays laws, checks the government |
| Power | final say | can only delay, not block |