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Lyalko S

Commons and Lords

  • The House of Commons has 651 elected members. Elections are set by the prime minister but must be held at least every five years. Because of the strict party discipline, important decisions are often made in less formal meetings of the cabinet and party caucus.

  • The House of Lords, with about 1200 members, is made up of the bishops of the Church of England and the hereditary and life peers, all of whom are appointed by the Crown. Its power is limited to delaying money bills for 30 days and other bills for one year. As a court of appeal, its deliberations are limited to those peers with judicial experience.