How this works. Click an option for each question. Correct ones turn green; wrong ones turn red, with an explanation showing the right answer. Aim for 8/10 first time through; revise the weak topics; come back.
Question 1
How many bishops sit in the Lords?
Answer: 26. 26 Lords Spiritual - bishops of the Church of England.
Question 2
Which Act removed most hereditary peers?
Answer: 1999. House of Lords Act 1999 removed most; 92 retained until the 2024 Bill.
Question 3
Which Act introduced life peerages?
Answer: 1958. Life Peerages Act 1958. Now the dominant form of peerage.
Question 4
The Salisbury Convention says the Lords will not block?
Answer: Manifesto commitments. Convention since 1945 - Lords accepts the elected government's mandate.
Question 5
How long can the Lords delay most bills under the Parliament Acts?
Answer: 1 year. Parliament Act 1949 reduced delay from 2 years (1911) to 1 year.
Question 6
Which 2024 Bill removes the remaining hereditary peers?
Answer: Hereditary Peers Bill. Labour 2024 manifesto commitment - removes the 88 remaining hereditaries.
Question 7
Crossbenchers number approximately?
Answer: 180. Around 180 - take no party whip; provide independent expertise.
Question 8
The 2012 Coalition Lords reform plan was abandoned because?
Answer: Conservative backbench rebellion. 100 Conservative MPs rebelled; Lib Dems then withdrew support for boundary review in retaliation.
Question 9
Which 2024 piece of legislation did the Lords block major elements of?
Answer: Rwanda Bill. Lords substantial amendments to Rwanda Bill in 2024 forced repeated ping-pong.
Question 10
Which 1911 event triggered the first Parliament Act?