Fiona Williams
Legislation in the House of Lords, and the interaction with the House of Commons
The House of Lords has been ignored in the literature for a long time, except as an oddity that must be reformed. My research looks into the legislative ‘teeth’ of the Lords, in particular in interactions with the Commons and the impact that it can have on Legislation.
Parliament is often criticised by its very nature, of being the government’s rubber stamp, and although the examination of the truth of this from the Common’s point of view is well covered, the Lords, by its very nature is currently a strong adversary for the government, as it is more free from the constraints of party or a large government presence. It also manages its time very differently, and this it is to be imagined will impact on its handling of legislation.
Even with the Parliament Act of 1911 to curtail the ability of the Lords to amend or limit government legislation, the government does bow to the will of the Lords, creating an interesting dynamic.
Research Supervisors
Professor Philip Cowley and Dr Matthew Goodwin
Primary Funding Source
Self Funded.
Research Interests
-
Political Institutions in the UK
-
Sub National UK Politics
-
European Union and its impact on the UK
-
Increasing role of the media in UK politics and the public perception of politics and politicians