The video discusses the UK's House of Lords, a chamber in the British Parliament, and whether it is still relevant in the 21st century. The House of Lords has 800 members, known as peers, who are not elected by the public. There are three ways to become a peer: by appointment as a life peer, by becoming a bishop, or by inheriting a seat through birth. The video highlights the undemocratic nature of the House of Lords, where members can claim expenses and salaries without being accountable to the public.
The video features an interview with the Earl of Selburn, a hereditary peer who has been a member of the House of Lords for 48 years without being elected. He acknowledges that the hereditary system is undemocratic but defends his own role in the House of Lords.
The video also discusses the expenses scandal in the House of Lords, where some members have claimed large sums of money for personal expenses. Baroness D'Souza, a peer who has been involved in the scandal, defends her expenses claims and argues that the House of Lords is essential for preparing legislation.
The video concludes by asking whether the UK is democratic enough and whether the House of Lords should be reformed. A census is cited, which shows that 95% of people think the House of Lords should be democratically elected, but also reveals that people do not want more elected politicians. The video ends by suggesting that the UK's democracy could be improved by making changes to the House of Lords and other parts of the political system.
Here are the key facts from the text:
1. The UK has a bicameral parliament, consisting of the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
2. The House of Lords has almost 800 members, known as peers, who are not elected by the public.
3. There are three main ways to become a peer in the House of Lords: appointment as a life peer, becoming a bishop, or inheriting a seat through the hereditary peerage system.
4. The hereditary peerage system allows individuals to inherit a seat in the House of Lords based on their family lineage.
5. There are 92 hereditary peers in the House of Lords, who were born into a ruling establishment class and given powerful positions.
6. In 2002, elections were introduced for hereditary peers, but only those who are part of the elite aristocracy can stand as candidates.
7. To become a candidate, hereditary peers only need to submit a brief personal statement.
8. Some personal statements submitted by hereditary peers have been criticized for being lackluster or even humorous.
9. The House of Lords costs taxpayers millions of pounds to maintain and has been plagued by expenses scandals.
10. Unelected peers can claim up to £305 per day in expenses, and some are given a full salary, complete with chauffeur-driven cars.
11. Baroness D'Souza, a peer, defended the House of Lords, saying it is essential for preparing legislation and bringing up issues that are difficult for the government to address.
12. A survey found that 95% of respondents believed the House of Lords should be democratically elected, but 50% did not want more elected politicians.
13. The speaker of the House of Lords is not elected by the public, but by the members of the House of Lords.
14. The Earl of Selburn, a hereditary peer, has been a member of the House of Lords for 48 years and has seen nine prime ministers and 12 elections, but has never been elected by the public.
15. The House of Lords is not accountable to the public in the same way that elected politicians are.