structure and composition of parliament

what does bicameral mean

parliament has two chambers

how many members of the house of commons are there

650 memebrs of the house of commons

who are the MPs elected

elected by constituency using first-past-the-post

does the house of commons posses the mandate

posses the demcoratic madate as its members are directly elected bu the public

what are the key roles of the house of commons 

• government/exectuvie - largest party in the commons forms government 

• backbenchers - MPs who are not Minsiters or shadow ministers 

how many members of the house of lords are there

800 un-elected members (peers)

what are life peers

appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister

what are hereditary peers

currently 92 remaining peers who inherited their title, elected by oth

what are Lord spirituals

26 church of England bishops

what are crossbenchers 

peers with no party affiliation, known for their independence and expertise 

does the house of lords have the mandate

lacks a democratic mandate but claims “expertise” and “independence” as a source of authority