18 concepts the spec wants you to use precisely, drawn from the Panther database. Read them, then test yourself.
In test mode, tap a concept to reveal its definition.
The concepts
House of Lords(tap to reveal)- The unelected upper chamber of Parliament, made up mainly of life peers, which scrutinises and can delay legislation.
Lords Spiritual(tap to reveal)- The 26 Church of England bishops who automatically get seats in the House of Lords. They sit independently and often speak on moral issues like welfare, poverty, and human rights.Use it: Use in questions about Lords composition, democratic legitimacy, and Lords reform. The presence of bishops is frequently cited as evidence of the Lords' unrepresentative character in a multi-faith society.
The other place (Lords)(tap to reveal)- The traditional way MPs refer to the House of Lords in parliamentary debate rather than naming it directly.
Wright reforms(tap to reveal)- The 2010 reforms that let MPs elect their own select committee chairs and gave backbenchers more control of debates.
Backbench Business Committee(tap to reveal)- A committee that gives backbench MPs control over some parliamentary time - about 35 days per year. Before 2010, the government controlled nearly all parliamentary time.Use it: Use as a key example of the Wright reforms in action. Shows that Parliament has taken some control of its own time away from the executive. Critical for questions about parliamentary reform and backbench power.
Backbenchers(tap to reveal)- MPs or Lords who do not hold any government or official opposition role, and sit behind the front benches.
Bicameralism(tap to reveal)- Having two separate chambers in Parliament - in the UK, the Commons and the Lords.
Crossbencher(tap to reveal)- An unaffiliated member of the Lords who votes on their own judgement, not a party line.
Crown in Parliament(tap to reveal)- The idea that sovereignty belongs to Parliament as a whole - King, Commons and Lords together.
Frontbencher(tap to reveal)- An MP with a government or shadow government role, sitting on the front row of the chamber.
Hereditary peer(tap to reveal)- A lord whose seat in the Lords was passed down through their family. All were removed by 2024.
Legislature(tap to reveal)- The body that makes laws. In the UK this is Parliament - Commons, Lords and the Crown.
Life peer(tap to reveal)- A lord appointed for their lifetime only - their title does not pass to their children.
Money bill(tap to reveal)- A bill about tax or spending. The Lords can only delay it for one month under the Parliament Acts.
Opposition(tap to reveal)- The parties in Parliament that are not in government, whose main role is to challenge and hold the government to account.
Parliament(tap to reveal)- The UK's law-making body, made up of the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and the Monarch.
Parliamentary privilege(tap to reveal)- The right of MPs and Lords to speak freely in Parliament without fear of being sued for what they say there.
People's peer(tap to reveal)- A lord appointed for merit and public service rather than political connections.