Dr Meg Russell is Reader in British and Comparative Politics in the Department of Political Science, University College London, where she is Deputy Director of the research centre the Constitution Unit. Her research on the Lords began by considering options for reform based on experience of other bicameral parliaments, resulting in her first book, Reforming the House of Lords: Lessons from Overseas (OUP, 2000). Since then she has focused increasingly on how the Lords operates now, following its reform in 1999. She has written numerous reports and papers on the British parliament, and parliaments more broadly, and is frequently cited by policymakers as well as academics. She has acted as a consultant to the Royal Commission on Lords reform (1999-2000), and been an adviser to the Leader of the House of Commons (2001-03) and the Select Committee on Reform of the House of Commons (2009-10).

The Contemporary House of Lords: Westminster Bicameralism Revived is a thoughtful and comprehensive analysis that is readable and accessible to academics, students and the general reader.

• Introduction ; A Brief History of the House of Lords ; Bicameralism in Theory and Comparative Perspective ; A Brief Introduction to the Contemporary House of Lords ; Politic Actors in the Lords ; The Lords as a Barrier to Government: Legislative Defeats ; Negotiated Outcomes and the Wider Legislative Impact of the Lords ; Non-Legislative Policy Work ; Is the House of Lords 'Legitimate'? Attitudes Towards the Chamber ; The Politics of Lords Reform ; Conclusions: The House of Lords, British Politics, and Legislative Bicameralism

Dr Meg Russell is Reader in British and Comparative Politics in the Department of Political Science, University College London, where she is Deputy Director of the research centre the Constitution Unit. Her research on the Lords began by considering options for reform based on experience of other bicameral parliaments, resulting in her first book, Reforming the House of Lords: Lessons from Overseas (OUP, 2000). Since then she has focused increasingly on how the Lords operates now, following its reform in 1999. She has written numerous reports and papers on the British parliament, and parliaments more broadly, and is frequently cited by policymakers as well as academics. She has acted as a consultant to the Royal Commission on Lords reform (1999-2000), and been an adviser to the Leader of the House of Commons (2001-03) and the Select Committee on Reform of the House of Commons (2009-10).

The Contemporary House of Lords: Westminster Bicameralism Revived is a thoughtful and comprehensive analysis that is readable and accessible to academics, students and the general reader.

• Introduction ; A Brief History of the House of Lords ; Bicameralism in Theory and Comparative Perspective ; A Brief Introduction to the Contemporary House of Lords ; Politic Actors in the Lords ; The Lords as a Barrier to Government: Legislative Defeats ; Negotiated Outcomes and the Wider Legislative Impact of the Lords ; Non-Legislative Policy Work ; Is the House of Lords 'Legitimate'? Attitudes Towards the Chamber ; The Politics of Lords Reform ; Conclusions: The House of Lords, British Politics, and Legislative Bicameralism

Dr Meg Russell is Reader in British and Comparative Politics in the Department of Political Science, University College London, where she is Deputy Director of the research centre the Constitution Unit. Her research on the Lords began by considering options for reform based on experience of other bicameral parliaments, resulting in her first book, Reforming the House of Lords: Lessons from Overseas (OUP, 2000). Since then she has focused increasingly on how the Lords operates now, following its reform in 1999. She has written numerous reports and papers on the British parliament, and parliaments more broadly, and is frequently cited by policymakers as well as academics. She has acted as a consultant to the Royal Commission on Lords reform (1999-2000), and been an adviser to the Leader of the House of Commons (2001-03) and the Select Committee on Reform of the House of Commons (2009-10).

The Contemporary House of Lords: Westminster Bicameralism Revived is a thoughtful and comprehensive analysis that is readable and accessible to academics, students and the general reader.

• Introduction ; A Brief History of the House of Lords ; Bicameralism in Theory and Comparative Perspective ; A Brief Introduction to the Contemporary House of Lords ; Politic Actors in the Lords ; The Lords as a Barrier to Government: Legislative Defeats ; Negotiated Outcomes and the Wider Legislative Impact of the Lords ; Non-Legislative Policy Work ; Is the House of Lords 'Legitimate'? Attitudes Towards the Chamber ; The Politics of Lords Reform ; Conclusions: The House of Lords, British Politics, and Legislative Bicameralism