The UK Parliament Lobated in the Palace of Westminster since the 13th century Unit 6

The UK Parliament – 3 elements Which three elements make up the UK Parliament? Bicameral body House of Commons > lower house House of Lords > upper house And the Monarch > who must give her assent for an act to become a law

The House of Commons 650 MPs, each one represents a constituency Elected using the First-Past-the-Post system in each constituency the candidate who gets the most votes wins the seat What is a constituency? (geograpgical area, of around 70,000 voters, represented by an MP) What is the First-Past-the-Post system? > means that in each constituency the candidate who gets the most votes wins the seat > even if he only gets 1 vote more than another candidate How often are general elections held? Introduced by the fixed-term Parlaiments acts 2011 When will a by-election be held? >

The House of Commons A general election is held every five years all MP’s stand for re-election If an MP resigns or dies between general elections, a by- election is held in their constituency What is a constituency? (geograpgical area, of around 70,000 voters, represented by an MP) What is the First-Past-the-Post system? > means that in each constituency the candidate who gets the most votes wins the seat > even if he only gets 1 vote more than another candidate How often are general elections held? Introduced by the fixed-term Parlaiments acts 2011 When will a by-election be held? >

Who’s who For very important votes there is a three-line whip If an MP disobeys he can be expelled from his party. Define the following terms: the Speaker of the House of Commons > show, politically impartial, ensures that the debate is orderly and calls on MPs to speak Frontbenchers > ministers and shadow ministers Backbenchers > ordinary MPs who hold no official position the whips > whip > fouet Help the party leader (PM or the elader of the opposition) maintain discipline within the parliamentary party trol > report back about potential problems, such as MPs who are unhappy with the party line on a bill, or who disagree with party policy Also put pressure on MPs to vote with the party. For very important votes there is a three line whip > a MP has very strict instructions to be present and vote, if an MP disobeys he can be expelled from the party In order to facilitate debate the parties areseated opposite each other > old photo, Labour, Conservatives > distance between them is the length of two swords Why are Wednesdays exciting in the House of Commons? Prime Minsietrs question time > after lunch the PM answers questions posed by leadzer of the opposition and other MPs – traditionally the time when she is put under pressure to defend the government’s record and actions

The House of Lords Peers are not elected, and do not represent a constituency Before 1958, the HoL consisted of hereditary peers (800+) and Lords Spiritual In 1958 life peerages were introduced, and women permitted to sit in the Lords In 1999 almost all the hereditary peers were removed. How are peers different from MPs? In 1999 almost all the hereditary peers were removed. Today there are: 26 Lords Spiritual > archbishops and bishops 700 Lords Temporal Around 600 life peers > appointed for life 92 hereditary peers > inherited their title, aristrocrats, but only 92 out of over 800 eligible peers sit What is a CB > don’t belong to any political party

The House of Lords Today there are: 26 Lords Spiritual 700 Lords Temporal Around 600 life peers (including many crossbenchers) 92 hereditary peers How are peers different from MPs? In 1999 almost all the hereditary peers were removed. Today there are: 26 Lords Spiritual > archbishops and bishops 700 Lords Temporal Around 600 life peers > appointed for life 92 hereditary peers > inherited their title, aristrocrats, but only 92 out of over 800 eligible peers sit What is a CB > don’t belong to any political party

The House of Lords The Lords play an essential role in the development of new legislation - all bills must be approved by both houses

The House of Lords However, on important issues, their legitimacy (compared to the elected house) is often questioned The Salisbury Convention: the HoL will not block legislation to introduce policies promised in the government’s election manifesto Traditionally the Lords cannot propose, amend or block money bills If the House of Commons passes the same bill in two successive sessions, it becomes law, even if ……..

How do MPs and Lords vote? If Speaker or Lord Speaker cannot determine a clear majority there will be a division How do MPs and Lords vote? Aye/ No HoC Content/Not Content If Speaker or Lord Speaker cannot determine a clear majority there will be a Who were the Law Lords and what happened to them?

The Law Lords The 12 Law Lords were the UK’s most senior judges They were also members of the legislative House of Lords In 2009, a new UK Supreme Court was established, and the Law Lords were replaced by 12 Supreme Court Justices Why? In order to promote the separation of powers