Is it true that The House of Lords wields more power than The House of Commons?
Okay, let's explore the power dynamics between the House of Lords and the House of Commons. Think of the UK Parliament as a two-chamber system. The House of Commons is made up of elected Members of Parliament, representing constituencies across the country. Because they're directly elected by the people, they have the primary responsibility for making laws and holding the government to account. The House of Lords, on the other hand, is unelected. Its members are appointed or inherit their seats. Historically, the Lords held significant power, but over time, particularly with the Parliament Acts of 1911 and 1949, their power to block legislation passed by the Commons was significantly reduced. They can still debate, suggest amendments, and delay bills, but ultimately, the elected House of Commons has the final say on most laws. So, while the House of Lords plays an important role in scrutinizing legislation, it's the House of Commons that holds the greater power because of its democratic mandate. It's easy to think "Lords" sounds more important, but in modern British democracy, that's simply not the case.
Remember, the 'Commons' may sound ordinary, but they hold the real power!