House of Lords

The House of Lords is the upper chamber of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, complementing the House of Commons, which is the lower chamber. Together, they form the UK's bicameral legislature. The primary roles of the House of Lords include:

The House of Lords examines, debates, and suggests amendments to proposed laws passed by the House of Commons. This chamber is known as a revising body due to its role in refining legislation.

The House of Lords includes a diverse group of individuals, including life peers, bishops, and hereditary peers, who bring expertise from various fields like law, science, business, and the arts, contributing valuable insights into complex issues.

Members of the House of Lords question government ministers, participate in debates, and investigate public policy issues through committees, holding the government accountable to the public.

House of Lords chamber, source: https://civilservicelocal.blog.gov.uk/

The word 'lord' originated from an Old English word 'hlaford' meaning bread-keeper.

The House of Commons of England passed an act abolishing the House of Lords in 1649, declaring it "useless and dangerous to the people of England".

Poet Lord Byron gave his first address as a member of the House of Lords in 1812, in defense of Luddite violence against Industrialism in his home county of Nottinghamshire.

Under the Parliament Act 1911, the Lords' power to reject legislation was reduced to a delaying power.

The last time a peerage was removed was in 1917 under the Titles Deprivation Act, directed against lords who fought against Britain in the First World War.

Before 1999, The House of Lords was primarily composed of hereditary peers, individuals who inherited their seats in the House due to their noble lineage. This system was seen as outdated and undemocratic by many, as it granted political power based on birth rather than merit. 

The House of Lords Act, which was given royal assent on November 11, 1999, removed most hereditary peers from the British House of Lords. It retained a small number of hereditary peers, around 92, who were elected by their peers.

Historically, the House of Lords also acted as the highest court in the UK. However, this role was transferred to the newly established Supreme Court of the United Kingdom in 2009.

Bankrupt lords and lords in jail cannot sit in the House of Lords but do not have their peerages taken away.

Source Daily Express