The Lords

The House of Lords is the second chamber of the UK Parliament, it complements the work of the House of Commons. It makes laws, holds government to account and investigates policy issues. Its membership is mostly appointed and includes experts in many fields.

Speaking about the membership of the House of Lords, until 1958 all of the Lords were indeed aristocrats. Then a law was passed which made it possible to award “life peerages” through the honours system. These gave people entitlement to sit in the Lords but not the children of these people. Often people who want to continue their career in politics but are too old to be as active and busy as MPs find a place in the House of Lords.

Political parties are, in fact, especially keen to send their older members who once belonged to the leadership of the party to the House of Lords. Informally, this practice has become known as “being kicked upstairs”.

External links and literature

1. An illustrated history of Britain

2. Britain for learners of English

3. http://www.royal.gov.uk/

4. http://www.youtube.com/user/TheRoyalChannel

5. http://www.royalty.nu/Europe/England/index.html

6. http://www.parliament.uk/

7. http://www.number10.gov.uk/