1. Britain: Representation & Participation Section 4 AP Comparative Government Mr. Saliani

2. The Legislature House of Commons (HoC) The legislature is made up of 3 parts – HoC, HoL, and the Crown. HoC the lower house of Parliament (646 seats in 2005) exercises the main legislative power in Britain. Three main functions 1. to pass laws 2. to provide finances for the state by authorizing taxation taxation 3. to review & scrutinize public administration and government policy government policy Important democratic function – highly visible arena for policy debate & partisan collision of political worldviews. “Drama” but is there really drama – rhetorical battle is entertaining but outcome is seldom in doubt

3. The Legislative Process To become a law a bill must be introduced in both the HoC and HoL, but approval by the later is not required. Ideas for legislation can originate from? Prospective legislation is then normally drafted by civil servants, circulated within Whitehall, approved by the cabinet, and then refined by lawyers (Parliamentary Counsel) The bill comes to the floor 3 times (readings). 1 st reading – printed, distributed, generally debated. 2 nd reading – after interval, 2 nd reading, they vote. Bill then sent for a detailed review to a standing committee of btw 16-50 members that reflect the proportions of the Commons. Report Stage & Amendments. 3 rd reading – bill is considered in its final form (and voted on) w/o debate. If it passes in the HoC it follows a parallel path through the HoL. (A, A, or R) Traditionally budgetary/taxation bills are unaltered. Once passed it goes to the Crown for royal assent, after which it become a law and is referred to as an act of Parliament.

4. The House of Lords (HoL) The upper chamber of Parliament is an unelected body that is comprised of hereditary peers (nobility), life peers (Crown appointed w/rec of PM) and law lords (life peers appointed for judicial duties). The Lords also include the archbishops of Canterbury and York and two dozen senior bishops of the Church of England. Roughly 1200 members of the HoL, no fixed # and membership changes with appointments. Conservatives have over half of the peers.

5. HoL (page 2) Traditionally, the HoL has also served as the final court of appeal for civil cases throughout Britain and criminal cases in England, Wales and N. Ireland. Desire to transfer appeals function to a new “supreme court.” (Pinochet Case) In recent times, the Lords, which has the power to amend/delay legislation has served mainly as a chamber of revision (redrafting expertise). Attempts at reform (i.e. removal of hereditary peers to an elected house) have stalled or failed. http://www.parliament.uk/

6. Reforms in Behavior & Structure Behavioral Changes: Backbench Dissent Backbenchers (MPs of the governing party who have no governmental office & the rank-and-file opposition members) are less deferential than in the past. (i.e. - 1/3 of Labour MPs voted against using force in Iraq). Vote on euro might bring dissent… Structural Changes: Parliamentary Committees Number of select committees ↑- examine policies or aspects of administration (hold hearings, et al.) Watchdog committees monitor the conduct of major departments & ministries Watchdog committees monitor the conduct of major departments & ministries

7. Political Parties & the Party System Two-Party System? From 1945 to 2001 the Conservative & Labour parties have each won 8 general elections (2005 brought Labour to 9). In the post-war period these two parties have divided 85% of the seats in the Commons. The emergence of the Liberal-Democrats has offered an important alternative or a coalition partner with Labour in the future. The Scottish National Party (SNP) in Scotland or the Plaid Cymru (Wales) in addition to some parties competing in N. Ireland have support.