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Life Peers

Definition

Life peers are individuals who are appointed to the House of Lords for their lifetime, rather than inheriting their position. They are not hereditary and are chosen based on their expertise or contributions to society.

Analogy

Think of life peers as VIP guests at a party who are invited by the host because of their special skills or achievements. They don't have a permanent spot on the guest list like regular attendees, but they get to enjoy all the perks while they're there.

Related terms

Hereditary Peers: These are members of the House of Lords who inherit their positions from their ancestors.

House of Lords: The upper chamber of Parliament in the United Kingdom, consisting of appointed life peers, hereditary peers, and bishops.

House of Commons: The lower chamber of Parliament in the United Kingdom, where elected representatives serve.

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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.