The Salisbury Convention

The Salisbury Convention is a parliamentary principle in the UK that prevents the House of Lords from blocking legislation that was promised in a governing party’s election manifesto. Essentially, if the elected House of Commons has clearly endorsed certain policies through an election, the Lords—whose members are not elected—should not overturn them. This convention helps maintain a balance, respecting the democratic mandate of the elected government while allowing the Lords to review legislation. It emphasizes the importance of respecting commitments made during democratic elections, ensuring stable and effective governance.