The House of Lords

The British Constitution grew, and was not made. The story of the development of the Upper House from the King’s Great Council, sitting by virtue of royal summons to attend and advise, into a House sitting by right of primogeniture is not unlike that of any other oligarchy. Property has always been the basis of the upper chamber. Anglo-Irish relations have been embittered by the activities of the House of Lords. The Lords have naturally been particularly interested in legislation affecting the land, but their oppression of the Irish peasantry shews to a special degree the influence of their landowning interest. The influence of the Lords has been exerted in more subtle ways. The House of Lords has always taken a keen interest in the method by which its partner the House of Commons is elected.