History Glossary

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Home Rule
limited self government, also known as devolution. From 1870 the majority of Irish MPs asked for a parliament with limited powers in Dublin, with Ireland remaining in the British Empire. British governments introduced Home Rule Bills in 1886, 1893 and 1912 but it was not until 1921 that there were parliaments in Belfast and Dublin.

House of Commons
the lower house of Parliament. Originally each county elected two members and each borough elected one or two members. In the 19th century the United Kingdom was divided into electoral areas or constituencies, each electing one MP. It was not until 1918 that all adult men got the vote and 1928 that all adult women got the vote. The House proposes laws, known as Bills.

House of Lords
the upper house of Parliament. The ‘peers of the realm’ (nobles) debated Bills sent up by the House of Commons and, if the Lords passed them and they were signed by the monarch, they became laws. In 1911 Lords could not debate money bills (budgets) and could only delay other Bills (including Home Rule) for no more than three parliamentary sessions (about two years).