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Originally Posted by swimintheundertow
...I thought the House of Lords only had ceremonial purposes and couldn't veto. My History teacher lied to me.
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The House of Lords can, by popular vote, turn down any bill (infact if I recall correctly they turned down the relatively recent fox hunting bill). However, whatever party is in power are the guys that decide who to nominate for the House of Lords, and generally this honour goes to their ex-MPs and big donaters. Which doesn't leave the HoL as being particularly unbiased. Usually, the Lords are there for more a rewording purpose as they are there to make sure the phrasing of a bill is as good as it can be (snerk, they fail).
The Commons also maintains the ability to push legislation over the HoL if they get a good enough vote (again something I think was evidenced by the Fox hunting legislation).
www.parliament.uk should have it put more clearly (though I'm too lazy to check).
Yes, your history teacher lied to you.