THE UK PARLIAMENT: ROLE, LEGISLATION AND ELECTIONS

It is housed in London’s palace of Westminster.

It comprises: the non-elected House of Lords, the elected House of Commons and the Monarch.

The two houses contain members from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

They gather as a unified body only on ceremonial occasions.

Traditionally, Parliament has had legal sovereignty in all matters, with power to create, abolish or
amend laws and institutions in Britain.

Today, they implement the government´s policies in reserved matters while devolved matters are
dealt with by the devolved bodies of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

All three parts must pass a bill before it becomes an Act of Parliament and law.

They also vote on money to government, examine the government policies and administration ,
monitor EU legislation and debate political issues.

They are supposed to legistate according to tradition. Public opinion , opposition , pressure
groups ensure that Parliament legislates based on its legal responsibility. But critics argue that
they operates satisfactorily and people’s confidence has dropped lately.

A parliament has a maximum duration of 5 years, but it is usually dissolved earlier and a general
election called by the monarch on the advice of the Prime minister. But in 2010, this power of the
PM to choose the date of a general election was substituted by a 55% majority in the House of
commons. If a PM dies, resigns or is given a peerage, a by-election for this seat is called, but the
Parliament is not dissolved.

HOUSE OF LORDS:

Lords Spiritual: These are the Archbishops of Canterbury and York and 24 senior bishops of the
Church of England.

Lords Temporal: 92 peers and peeresses with hereditary titles + 577 peers and peeresses
appointed by political parties and an Appointment Commission.

Daily attendance varies. Peers receive no salary for their parliamentary work, but they can claim
travelling expenses. The Lord speaker presides the sessions and usually guides them.

This system has been criticised but and elected second chamber could threaten the powers of
the House of Commons and create a conflict between the two. Different changes have been
attempted, like a reduction of Lords spiritual to only 16, but the future of the House of Lords is still
in doubt.

Their main role, as a less partisan chamber than the House of Commons is become an antidote to
powerful governments and to amend possible laws coming from the other chamber if necessary.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

650 MPs chosen from all parts of the UK. They are elected by voters (over 18) . Minorities and
women still struggle to get seats in the House. T

All members are paid expenses and a salary, relatively low compared to similar jobs outside
politics.

LEGISLATION AND PROCEDURE:

The House of Commons meets every weekday afternoon, sometimes until late evening or over the
weekend.

It is felt that hours spent in the House should be reduced and pay should be improved.

The Speaker is the Chief officer of the House of Commons , chosen by the MPs. interprets the
rules of the house, assisted by 3 deputy speakers. He/she ceases to be a political representative
and becomes a neutral official as do the 3 deputy speakers.

He protects the House against any abuse of procedure by controlling debates and votes and if
there’s a tie, he has the casting vote. The Speaker is forced to suspend or dismiss members from
the House if they cross the line.

Debates start with a motion: the matter is decided by a simple majority vote. MPs enter the Yes or
No lobbies to record their votes but they may abstain from voting.

Debates are open to public, radio broadcast and televised. This has increased interest in those
debates but low attendance and behaviour of MPs have been criticised.

UK PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS

The UK is divided in to 650 constituencies. geographical areas containing about 66000 voters, to
ensure fair representation and are adjusted according to population movements.

GE are by secret ballot, but voting is not compulsory. British , Commonwealth and Irish Republic
citizens over the age of 18 can vote (if included in a register of voters and are not disqualified)

Tose not entitled to vote are: mentally ill patients detained in hospital or prisonn, convicted of
corrupt or illegal election practices, prisoners and members of the House of Lords.

Each elector casts one vote at a polling station. Those unable to vote in person, can register
postal or proxy votes.

The turnout of voters has often been around 70% although it has declined in recent years.

The candidate the gets the simple majority at their constituency is the elected MP.

Some see this system as unfair to minor parties and claim a different system to obtain a wider
selection of parties in the House of Commons.

The Labour and Conservative parties prefer this system since they get a greater chance of
achieving power.