Society
The role of the second chamber in parliamentary democracies
A series of papers produced for the Office of the Convenor of the Crossbench Peers through the King's Parliamentary Research Internship Programme, which pairs King's PhD and postdoctoral researchers with members of the House of Lords.
Each year, researchers on the programme are placed with a peer; those working with Lord Kinnoull, crossbench member of the House of Lords and Convenor of the Crossbench Peers, have contributed to this series, each exploring a different aspect of the second chamber and how bicameral parliaments work.
- In year one, Francesco Bruno examined the Salisbury-Addison Convention – the understanding that shapes how the Lords handles government bills implementing manifesto commitments – tracing its origins and evolution, who it binds, what counts as a "manifesto bill", the role of the Parliament Acts, and the practice of "ping-pong". This series was also covered in a piece by the Spectator.
- In year two, Petr Svoren compared the House of Lords with upper chambers around the world, looking at how second chambers differ in their composition, selection, membership, roles and powers, and their experiences of reform, drawing on cases including Canada, Australia, Germany and the United States.
- In year three, Christopher Bock is analysing how bicameral legislatures resolve disagreement over legislation, comparing "ping-pong" in the UK Parliament with amendment exchange and conference committees in the US Congress, with a particular focus on the American experience.
Read the papers
Francesco Bruno on the Salisbury-Addison Convention
- Origins and recent history
- Who is covered by the convention?
- What is a manifesto bill?
- The Parliament Acts
- Ping pong
Petr Svoren comparing upper chambers across the world
Christopher Bock on how bicameral legislatures make law
More to follow
Project status: Ongoing