essay plans

Q - Evaluate the view that when it comes to fulfilling their respective functions, the House of Lords can be seen as more successful than the House of Commons.

functions -

• both scrutinise the executive, provide representation

PARA 1

Lords is better

HOL doesn’t have same powers as HOC but HOL more effectively scrutinises legislation

• HOL is full of crossbenchers (around 180) there isn’t a single majority party in the HOL

  • less pressure on members to vote along party lines, less government influence

• filled with proffesionals and experts in their fields

  • Lord Vallance of Balham (Patrick Vallance), who is now serving as minister for science from the House of Lords due to his expertise

• can lead to the legislation being significantly changed or dropped altogether

  • Public Order Act 2023 went through many amendments in HOL before being passed

  • Key changes made by the Lords included increased protections for journalists

HOC more successful at scrutinising legislation, as they have more access to the executive

• HOC directly questions executive during PMQs on Wednesdays

  • gives select time to hold gov to account

  • In 2022, Keir Starmer used PMQs to press Boris Johnson on Partygate, exposing contradictions and applying political pressure.

• there’s also the role of the opposition and they scrutinise and hold the government accountable.

  • They have shadow ministers to individually scrutinise each action of the Cabinet and offer alternative policies. 

  • labour gave outright opposition to the Nationality and Borders Bill which faced amendments before becoming an Act