>An offhand question here that will really show my ignorance:
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>Is it still true that the House of Commons is mainly filled with those who hold property, wealth, and influence and the House of Lords is actually still filled with peers (I thought that changed in 1999)? Is it still segregated that way? I thought that 'class' segregation was basically done away with years ago (1963 or around then for the House of Commons)? Can anyone run for the House of Commons or the House of Lords as with our House of Representatives and the Senate? I know this sounds ignorant, but remember I was in school in the 60s and sometimes what we learn back then sticks with us...I'm trying to become 'enlightened...' :o)
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>Tracy

Not quite - the ones with the majority of property, wealth & influence are the peers.

The House of Commons is our elected parliament, just about anyone is entitled to stand (there are some specific exceptions).

The House of Lords is our "upper house" & is completely non-elected. It's remit is to hold the government to account & overseeing legislation proposed by the the government - it does have the right to significantly revise & even reject proposed legislation - though the House of Commons can disregard the House of Lords in exceptional circumstances.

The House of Lords consists mainly of hereditary peers & appointed peers (there are clergy & judges as well). The 1999 reforms removed the right of the majority (all but 92) of the hereditary peers to sit in the House of Lords. There are plans for further reforms, removing all hereditary peers & even making it fully or partially elected. Unfortunately to do this, the House of Commons has to change the current laws & these changes need to be reatified by the House of Lords, which makes change very difficult.