Representing the electorate

In what sense is the HoLs representative?

Contains people with a wide range of professional backgrounds

Not dominated by a single party

How is the HoLs unrepresentative? Give statistics

• More than half of members are over the age of 70

• Three quarters are male

• Only 5% are of ethnic minorities

Theories of representation?

1. Burkean idea of representation

2. The delegate model

3. The doctrine of the mandate

Burkean idea of representation?

MPs deciding what they think is best for constituents and constituents trusting them to do so

The delegate model?

MPs are the mouthpiece of their constituents

The doctrine of the mandate

MPs represent their party, which was elected with a mandate to carry out their manifesto