>>509570318 (OP)It can block laws made by the commons for 1 year unless it's a policy in the governments manifesto officially declared in the king's speech at opening of parliament.
The speaker of the commons decides if this is true
It's made of members appointed for life called Peers.
90 or so are hereditary, the rest are either clergy or appointed by the government in some previous government.
Peers assembly into either right or left wing depending on if they support the government or opposition, others become independent cross benchers seated in the middle.
Appointments are made during honours lists which the PM makes usually when leaving office or annually or at special moments and this is on the advice of a honour committee, which is like a select committee.
King formerly appoints members and many Peers don't choose to sit in the house such as the Prince of Wales.
The honours committee has a member from the Music of Black Origin Awards.
Historically it's decisions have been popular with the public such as blocking war with American colonies but governments have increasingly eroded it's powers on the basis of democratic theory.
One solution would be follow the Canadian model and simply make Peers retire after 15 years or so.