Lords Temporal facts for kids

The Lords Temporal are a special group of people who are members of the House of Lords. This is the upper house of the British Parliament, which helps make laws for the United Kingdom.

The term "Lords Temporal" helps us tell the difference between these members and another group called the Lords Spiritual, who are bishops from the Church of England.

What are Lords Temporal?

Lords Temporal are members of the House of Lords who are not bishops. They are usually appointed for their whole lives because of their achievements or experience. They play an important role in checking new laws and discussing big issues.

Life Peers and Hereditary Peers

There are two main types of Lords Temporal:

• Life Peers: These are people who have been given a special title for their lifetime. They are chosen by the King or Queen, usually on the advice of the Prime Minister. They are often experts in different fields like science, business, or education. Once they are made a Life Peer, they can be a member of the House of Lords for the rest of their lives.
• Hereditary Peers: Before 1999, most members of the House of Lords were Hereditary Peers. This meant their title and their seat in the House of Lords were passed down through their family, usually from father to son.

Changes in 1999

In 1999, there was a big change to the House of Lords. This was called the 1999 reform of the House of Lords. Before this, there were hundreds of Hereditary Peers. After the reform, most of them lost their right to sit in the House of Lords.

Now, only 92 Hereditary Peers remain. Most of these are elected by other Hereditary Peers, and a few hold special roles. This change made the House of Lords more modern and fair, focusing more on people who are chosen for their skills rather than their family background.

What Do Lords Temporal Do?

The Lords Temporal, along with the Lords Spiritual, have several important jobs in the British Parliament:

• Checking Laws: When a new law is proposed, it goes through the House of Lords. The Lords Temporal carefully look at the details, suggest changes, and make sure the law is fair and works well. They can delay laws, but they can't usually stop them completely.
• Debating Important Issues: Members of the House of Lords discuss many important topics, from climate change to healthcare. They bring their different experiences and knowledge to these debates, helping the government think about different points of view.
• Holding the Government Accountable: They can ask the government questions and challenge its decisions. This helps make sure the government is doing its job properly and is answerable to the people.

Why Are They Important?

The Lords Temporal are important because they bring a lot of experience and knowledge to Parliament. They include former politicians, judges, scientists, doctors, artists, and business leaders. This means that when laws are being made, there are people with real-world experience helping to shape them.

They also act as a check on the power of the House of Commons, which is the other part of the British Parliament. This helps create a balance of power and ensures that laws are carefully considered before they are passed.