The Contemporary House of Lords Westminster Bicameralism Revived

The first book to give a detailed portrait of the House of Lords since the landmark reform of 1999 which removed most of its hereditary members, it asks who sits in the chamber, how it operates, and crucially what policy impact the House of Lords has. It shows that the Lords now has a more diverse and modern membership than many would assume. Close study of today's House of Lords demolishes some common myths about both British politics and the way that two chamberparliaments work. This book, as well as focusing on the contemporary Lords, provides a historical and comparative context for British bicameralism, asks whether the Lords can be considered'legitimate', and describes recent reform efforts and possible reforms for the future.