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Evaluate the view that although the House of Lords has less power than the House of Commons, in practice it exerts more influence on government decisions - Edexcel - A-Level Politics - Question 2 - 2019 - Paper 2
Question 2
Evaluate the view that although the House of Lords has less power than the House of Commons, in practice it exerts more influence on government decisions. In your a... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Evaluate the view that although the House of Lords has less power than the House of Commons, in practice it exerts more influence on government decisions - Edexcel - A-Level Politics - Question 2 - 2019 - Paper 2
Step 1
Evaluate the view that the government does not have a majority in the Lords.
Answer
It is often argued that since the government does not hold a majority in the House of Lords, this means that it faces greater challenges in pushing its agenda. The lack of majority can allow the Lords to exert influence especially during crucial debates, leading to a greater number of amendments and discussions on legislation. In practice, this could imply that the Lords have more power over government decisions than the House of Commons, where party loyalty often prevails.
Step 2
Evaluate the view that party loyalty is weaker in the Lords than the Commons.
Answer
Party loyalty in the House of Lords is generally weaker than in the Commons, as unelected members may prioritize their expertise and individual policy views over party lines. This can allow for more nuanced debates and could see the Lords exerting greater influence over certain decisions. For instance, peers may resist government proposals more effectively when they do not face the same electoral pressures as members of the House of Commons.
Step 3
Evaluate the view that the Lords experience fewer defeats than the Commons.
Answer
While it is true that the Commons often encounters more defeats than the Lords, it is important to note that the government also generally has more legislative power within the Commons. This affects how legislative processes are viewed in terms of influence. Thus, while defeats might be less frequent in the Lords, this does not necessarily translate to greater influence over government decisions.
Step 4
Consider the alternative view that the Commons holds more power.
Answer
Despite the arguments for the Lords' influence, the House of Commons is fundamentally more powerful. It has the authority to legislate, control finance bills, and ultimately holds the mandate of the electorate. The Salisbury Convention also limits the power of the Lords to oppose measures in line with the government's manifesto, illustrating the superior legislative authority of the Commons.
Step 5
Consider the alternative view that the government can usually reaffirm its power.
Answer
The government can often reaffirm its position despite challenges from the Lords. If the Commons has the authority to resolve disputes and reaffirm bills rejected by the Lords, this further cements the power of the Commons over the legislative process. The reality is that the elected Commons can generally override the influence of the unelected Lords.
Step 6
Conclude with an overall evaluation.
Answer
In conclusion, while certain aspects suggest that the House of Lords may have a practical influence on government decisions, the fundamental legislative authority lies with the House of Commons. Therefore, while the Lords play a significant role, it is essential to recognize that their influence does not surpass that of the Commons in terms of power and governance.