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The House of Lords is Britain's only effective opposition. Discuss. - page 4
Keywords: house of lords britain uk opposition role
By exploiit on 19/06/2010
Level: A Level (Year 12) / AS Level
Page Number: 4 of 4 pages: 1 2 3 4for honours” schemes. A total of 28 private donors were accused of trying to buy peerages, though some of these were eventually declined by the Appointments Commission. Barry Townsley, a generous Labour donor, had to withdraw his acceptance of a peerage on the grounds of “press intrusion” into his personal life.
It is also important to remember that the actual work done in the House of Lords is subject to limitations. Although the Lords can propose numerous adjustments to legislation and can sometimes reject entire bills, the government can often decide to over rule and ignore the Lords. In September 2000, Jack Straw (then Home Secretary) admitted that he would use the Parliament Act to ensure the Trail of Jury Bill would be passed, despite the decision delivered by the Lords.
Even the general principle of the House of Lords leads many to regard it, not as an important tool in establishing an opposition to government, but instead as a mere ‘check’ on the House of Commons, that tidies up messy bills and has no true authority or representation.
Although it is difficult to argue that these points present the Lords in an unfavourable light, it is harder yet to disregard the level of scrutiny and legitimisation that the House of Lords has established. It cannot be stated that the House of Lords is the only opposition to government, but it is obvious that it is the most effective and suitable method of opposition.
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