Inside the LordsParliament and Government

Click on the image to explore the different roles individuals and groups have in Parliament and Government.

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Government Front Bench

Some members of the House of Lords who belong to the governing party are appointed as Government ministers and spokespeople.

They attend regularly to answer questions from other members about their department and the work of government in general. They also update members through statements to the House.

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Government Front Bench

Each government department includes Ministers or spokespeople from the House of Lords. Ministers have responsibility for the day-to-day running of the government department they work within, alongside ministers from the House of Commons.

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Government Backbenchers

Most Members of the House of Lords belong to political parties. Those who are members of the governing party sit behind the Ministers and spokespeople on the front bench.

Most members are life peers, chosen for their knowledge, expertise and experience.

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Government Backbenchers

Government backbenchers do not have responsibility within the government.

They question the government ministers in a similar way to the opposition – though they are more likely to share similar views to the government.

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Bishops

There are 26 archbishops and bishops from the Church of England who also sit in the House of Lords.

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Crossbench Members

Around a quarter of Members of the House of Lords are independent of political parties – they are called ‘crossbenchers’. They bring knowledge, expertise and experience, usually formed through their careers, and bring this to their role checking and challenging the work of the government, and scrutinising new legislation.

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Opposition parties

Most members of the House of Lords are part of a political party. Those who are members of opposition parties check and challenge the work of the government, and scrutinise new legislation.

Most members are life peers, chosen for their knowledge, expertise and experience.

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The Lord Speaker

The Lord Speaker chairs business in the chamber, is elected by members and is politically impartial. The House of Lords is self-regulating meaning all its members are responsible for ensuring the rules are followed. The Lord Speaker cannot call members to order, decide who speaks next or select which amendments are debated.