The Comparisons and the Contrasts of the Workings and the Power of the House of Commons and the House of Lords

Table of Contents

1) Introduction:

The Workings and Structure of Parliament

The House of Commons

The House of Lords

2) An Analysis of Power and it's Distribution:

Contrasts between the House of Commons/Lords

Representation

Financial Control

Differences in pay and attendance

Judicial Committee (Law Lords)

Private Members' Bill (delaying a Bill)

3) Comparisons between the House of Commons/Lords:

Scrutiny and Influence

Legislation (Passage of a Bill)

Control of Executive

4) Conclusion:

The future of the Second Chamber

Reforms (elected?): retain, reform, replace or remove?


Abstract

Many changes have befallen Parliament since the beginning of its creation, but in recent history, there have been many debates that have centred upon the fate of the House of Lords.  In this essay I construct comparisons and contrasts on the workings of the House of Lords and the Commons so as to establish whether the Lords should be an elected House or even whether it should exist at all.  My essay sets out to discover both the strengths and the weaknesses of the House of Lords and the Commons, through examining reports, so as to establish what the future holds for the Lord.  More MPs reside in the House of Lords now than at any other time - with it now also boasting a far higher percentage of its' House as being elected than before.  Thus, it would appear that the fate of this truly remarkable House has been decided!