Can a Member of Parliament Serve in Both the House of Commons and the House of Lords?
In a democratic system like the United Kingdom, the roles of Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons and the House of Lords can seem interchangeable, but there are strict rules governing who can serve in each chamber. This article aims to clarify these distinctions and explore the unique circumstances under which a parliamentarian may or may not serve in both houses.
Understanding the House of Commons and House of Lords
The House of Commons and the House of Lords are integral parts of the UK parliamentary system, each with its own set of rules and functions. While both are known as 'Parliament,' they operate under different contexts and rules. The House of Commons consists of elected representatives who are known as Members of Parliament (MPs), while the House of Lords comprises life peers and hereditary peers who are not directly elected.
Life Peers and Serving in Both Houses
Life Peers: A life peer, also known as a 'member of the House of Lords,' can technically serve in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. This situation arises for those who have been elevated to the House of Lords due to their own merit, rather than inheriting their titles. In the US, Senators are more accurately referred to as "Congressmen," while in the UK, Members of Parliament (MPs) are often associated with the House of Commons. Technically, members of the House of Lords occupy half of the Parliament.
In the UK, the title "MP" typically refers to a member of the House of Commons. However, those who serve in the House of Lords are still considered Members of Parliament. For instance, a Member of the Cabinet who happens to be a life peer will serve in the House of Lords, even though they are not an elected MP in the House of Commons.
Hereditary Peers and the Compromise Law
Hereditary Peers: The situation for hereditary peers is more complex. Before the Blair government, hereditary peers (who inherited their titles) had the right to serve in the House of Lords. However, after the Blair government enacted a rule that barred hereditary peers from serving in the House of Lords, it created a conflict for individuals born into a lordship who wished to have a political career. This led to a law allowing a hereditary peer to step down from the title, though this is seen as a rare occurrence.
A compromise by the Blair government allowed hereditary peers to elect 10 of their number to remain in the House of Lords, while the remaining 90% who did not hold life peerages were barred from serving. This means that while hereditary peers can still hold hereditary titles, they cannot serve in the House of Lords unless they are also granted life peerages.
Examples and Practical Scenarios
David Cameron: An example of a public figure serving in both houses is David Cameron, the current Foreign Secretary. Although he is ennobled as Baron Cameron of Chipping Norton, he has the administrative role in the Cabinet and does not serve as an MP in the House of Commons.
Tony Benn: Another notable example is Tony Benn, who was a Labour MP for 47 years. His father, William, was the first Viscount Stansgate. Upon his father's death, Tony became a hereditary peer and was effectively sent to the House of Lords. In 1963, he disclaimed the title with the Peerage Act 1963 and returned to the Commons.
Ruth Davidson: Ruth Davidson, the former Scottish Conservative leader, is another individual who was ennobled but did not serve in the House of Lords immediately. She was briefly interim Tory leader in the Scottish parliament before being elected to the Commons.
In general, it is more common for a parliamentarian to serve exclusively in either the House of Commons or the House of Lords. However, the unique circumstances of life peers and the Blair government's compromise allow for some flexibility in rare cases.
Understanding these distinctions is crucial for anyone engaged in UK politics or interested in the functioning of the parliamentary system. The dual role of life peers in both Houses is an important aspect of the political landscape and reflects the intricate balance of power within the UK's governance framework.