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What is the main function of the British Parliament?
What is the main function of the British Parliament?
What role does the House of Lords play in the British Parliament?
What role does the House of Lords play in the British Parliament?
How frequently are General Elections held in the UK to elect members of the House of Commons?
How frequently are General Elections held in the UK to elect members of the House of Commons?
Which house of the British Parliament is directly elected by the public?
Which house of the British Parliament is directly elected by the public?
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How are members of the House of Lords appointed?
How are members of the House of Lords appointed?
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When does a piece of legislation become an act of parliament?
When does a piece of legislation become an act of parliament?
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What is the primary duty of Members of Parliament (MPs)?
What is the primary duty of Members of Parliament (MPs)?
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In the UK, what is the term length for Members of Parliament (MPs)?
In the UK, what is the term length for Members of Parliament (MPs)?
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Which house of the UK's Parliament is responsible for offering opinions on proposed bills and suggesting amendments?
Which house of the UK's Parliament is responsible for offering opinions on proposed bills and suggesting amendments?
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Who selects the hereditary peers in the House of Lords?
Who selects the hereditary peers in the House of Lords?
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What role do peers in the House of Lords play in the UK's legislative process?
What role do peers in the House of Lords play in the UK's legislative process?
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During an election in the UK, what happens after eligible voters cast their ballots?
During an election in the UK, what happens after eligible voters cast their ballots?
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Study Notes
Parliament
Functions
Parliament is the legislative branch of the British government and is responsible for making all laws in the UK. It is made up of two parts: the House of Commons and the House of Lords. These two components of parliament work together to pass legislation, scrutinize the actions of the government, and conduct debates.
Legislative Branch
The main purpose of parliament is to make laws for the country. To achieve this goal, the House of Commons and House of Lords combine their efforts. When a piece of legislation passes through both bodies, it becomes an act of parliament. This means it is now a law that everyone in the UK must obey.
House of Commons
The House of Commons is elected by the public through General Elections held once every five years. It is the more powerful of the two houses, as it has the ability to vote on certain issues and ultimately decides whether or not the government stays in power. Members from each party sit in the House of Commons, and they are elected according to the number of votes received in their respective constituencies.
House of Lords
Unlike the House of Commons, the House of Lords is not directly elected by the public. Instead, its members are appointed either for life or until retirement. The House of Lords performs an important role in checking the power of the House of Commons. It scrutinizes bills passed by the House of Commons, examines the implications of proposed legislation, and offers amendments when necessary. This helps ensure that laws are fair and balanced.
Structure
Parliament is structured into two houses, each with unique features and purposes.
House of Commons
The House of Commons is made up of MPs (Members of Parliament), with 650 seats representing the entirety of the UK. Members are elected to represent specific constituencies and serve for five years unless there is a snap election.
Roles of Members
MPs play a crucial role in shaping the direction of the country. Their primary duty is to represent the interests of their constituents in parliament. They do this by participating in debates, proposing legislation, and voting on bills. Additionally, they are responsible for answering questions tabled by other MPs and engaging in discussions on various topics relevant to the issue.
House of Lords
The House of Lords is comprised of both hereditary and appointed peers, who serve for life. Appointed peers are chosen by the Prime Minister, while hereditary peers inherit their seat upon reaching a certain age. Currently, there are around 800 lords, although this number can change as new appointments are made or existing titles die out.
Roles of Members
Similar to the House of Commons, the House of Lords has several key functions. Peers contribute to the legislative process by offering their opinions on proposed bills and suggesting amendments to improve them. Additionally, they are involved in the appointment process for judges, along with other high-level positions.
Election Process
Elections in the UK take place at regular intervals but can also occur earlier, known as a snap election. Here's a simplified breakdown of the process:
- Nomination: Candidates wishing to stand for election need to be nominated by a local council or another MP.
- Campaigning: Candidates spend weeks campaigning in their constituencies, promoting their manifestos and connecting with potential voters.
- Voting: On election day, eligible voters cast their ballots, choosing the candidate they want to represent them in parliament. Voting takes place at polling stations across the country.
- Declaration of Results: Once all votes have been counted, the winners are announced, and they begin their term in parliament.
In summary, the UK's Parliament is a crucial component of our democratic system, responsible for making laws and scrutinizing government actions. Its structure includes two houses, each with distinct roles and functions, working together to shape the future of our country.
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Description
Explore the functions, structure, and election process of the British Parliament. Learn about the roles of the House of Commons and the House of Lords in making laws and scrutinizing government actions.
