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

2. 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

3. 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? >

4. 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? >

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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 ……..

10. 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?

11. 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