The House of Commons vs. The House of Lords

Attribute	The House of Commons	The House of Lords
Number of members	650	Approximately 800
Method of appointment	Elected	Appointed
Role	Primary legislative body	Review and revise legislation
Term length	5 years	Life peerage
Speaker	Speaker of the House of Commons	Lord Speaker

Composition

The House of Commons is made up of Members of Parliament (MPs) who are elected by the public during general elections. There are 650 MPs in the House of Commons, each representing a specific constituency in the United Kingdom. On the other hand, the House of Lords is not elected; its members are appointed. The House of Lords is made up of life peers, bishops, and hereditary peers. Life peers are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister or the House of Lords Appointments Commission. Bishops are senior members of the Church of England, and hereditary peers inherit their titles.

Role and Function

The House of Commons is the primary legislative body in the UK. It is responsible for proposing and passing laws, scrutinizing the government, and representing the interests of the public. The House of Commons also plays a crucial role in approving the government's budget and holding the government to account through debates and questioning. In contrast, the House of Lords acts as a revising chamber. It reviews and suggests amendments to legislation proposed by the House of Commons. The House of Lords also provides expertise and experience in various fields, contributing to the legislative process.

Power and Influence

The House of Commons holds more power and influence than the House of Lords. This is because the House of Commons is directly elected by the public, giving it democratic legitimacy. The government is formed by the party or coalition with the majority of seats in the House of Commons, and the Prime Minister is the leader of this party. As a result, the House of Commons has the final say on most legislative matters. While the House of Lords can suggest amendments and delay legislation, it cannot ultimately block laws passed by the House of Commons.

Membership and Attendance

Members of the House of Commons are expected to attend debates and votes regularly. Absenteeism is frowned upon, and MPs can face consequences for consistently missing sessions. In contrast, members of the House of Lords are not required to attend regularly. Many members of the House of Lords have other professional commitments and may only attend when their expertise is needed on a particular issue. This flexibility allows the House of Lords to benefit from a diverse range of experiences and knowledge.

Term Length and Accountability

Members of the House of Commons serve a term of five years, after which a general election is held. MPs are directly accountable to their constituents, who have the power to re-elect or replace them based on their performance. This accountability ensures that MPs remain responsive to the needs and concerns of the public. On the other hand, members of the House of Lords serve for life or until they retire. While this lifetime appointment provides stability and continuity, it also raises questions about accountability and democratic representation.

Public Perception and Reform

The House of Commons is often seen as the more democratic and representative of the two houses. Its members are directly elected by the public, giving them a mandate to govern on behalf of the people. However, the House of Commons has faced criticism for issues such as party politics, lack of diversity, and expenses scandals. The House of Lords, on the other hand, is sometimes viewed as outdated and undemocratic due to its unelected nature and hereditary peers. Calls for reform of the House of Lords have been ongoing, with proposals for a fully or partially elected second chamber.