UK Parliament: The House of Commons

The House of Commons

• The House of Commons is the elected chamber of the UK Parliament.
• It has 650 Members of Parliament (MPs), each representing a different constituency in the UK.
• MPs are elected by the public during a general election and generally belong to a political party, although some are independent.

Role of MPs

• MPs split their time between the House of Commons and their constituency.
• They have to balance the needs of their party and the local people they represent, including those who voted for them and those who didn't.

The Government and Opposition

• After a general election, the leader of the party with the most MPs becomes the Prime Minister and leads the government.
• The Prime Minister appoints around 20 senior ministers to form the Cabinet.
• The government and opposition parties sit on opposite sides of the House of Commons.
• The Speaker of the House of Commons chairs debates and keeps the House in order.

Parliamentary Procedures

• Prime Minister's Questions and Ministerial Questions give MPs the opportunity to raise issues or challenge government policies.
• MPs can request to ask an urgent question relating to a topical event, and the minister responsible must respond.
• MPs can share the views and experiences of their constituents, explaining how new policies or changes to the law may affect them.

Law-Making Process

• The House of Commons and the House of Lords share the responsibility of making and shaping laws.
• The government cannot make new laws or raise new taxes without Parliament's agreement.
• A bill must go through several stages in the House of Commons and the House of Lords before becoming a law.

Select Committees

• Many MPs are members of cross-party select committees, which mirror government departments.
• Select committees review policies and government spending by holding inquiries and taking evidence from experts and the public.
• Committees write reports with recommendations, and the government usually responds within 60 days.

Getting Involved in UK Parliament

• Anyone can get involved with the work of UK Parliament, regardless of age.
• Ways to get involved include following local MPs on social media, contacting them by email, letter, or phone, and submitting evidence to select committees.

The House of Commons

• The House of Commons has 650 Members of Parliament (MPs), each representing a different constituency in the UK.
• MPs are elected by the public during a general election and generally belong to a political party, although some are independent.

Role of MPs

• MPs split their time between the House of Commons and their constituency.
• They balance the needs of their party and the local people they represent, including those who voted for them and those who didn't.

The Government and Opposition

• The leader of the party with the most MPs becomes the Prime Minister and leads the government after a general election.
• The Prime Minister appoints around 20 senior ministers to form the Cabinet.
• The government and opposition parties sit on opposite sides of the House of Commons.
• The Speaker of the House of Commons chairs debates and keeps the House in order.

Parliamentary Procedures

• Prime Minister's Questions and Ministerial Questions give MPs the opportunity to raise issues or challenge government policies.
• MPs can request to ask an urgent question relating to a topical event, and the minister responsible must respond.
• MPs can share the views and experiences of their constituents, explaining how new policies or changes to the law may affect them.

Law-Making Process

• The House of Commons and the House of Lords share the responsibility of making and shaping laws.
• The government cannot make new laws or raise new taxes without Parliament's agreement.
• A bill must go through several stages in the House of Commons and the House of Lords before becoming a law.

Select Committees

• Many MPs are members of cross-party select committees, which mirror government departments.
• Select committees review policies and government spending by holding inquiries and taking evidence from experts and the public.
• Committees write reports with recommendations, and the government usually responds within 60 days.

Getting Involved in UK Parliament

• Anyone can get involved with the work of UK Parliament, regardless of age.
• Ways to get involved include following local MPs on social media, contacting them by email, letter, or phone, and submitting evidence to select committees.