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Parliament and the House of Commons

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Parliament and the House of Commons PEOPLE EVENTS PARLIAMENT AND THE PLACES HOUSE OF COMMONS Parliament and democracy OPPOSITION DAYS Parliament is made up of three parts: The House of Opposition days allow the Commons, the House of Lords and the Sovereign. opposition parties in the House of In the House of Commons, Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected Commons to as part of the democratic process. Following a general election, the determine the topic for debate political party with the most MPs forms the Government. rather than the Government. There Members of the House of Lords are mostly appointed by the are usually about Sovereign on the recommendation of the Prime Minister; some are 20 opposition days in a parliamentary internally elected. A small number of Church of England archbishops session, with the and bishops are also Members. Offi cial Opposition party being The Sovereign fulfi ls a formal and ceremonial role, approving Royal allocated 17 days. Assent for bills and attending the State Opening of Parliament. THE RIGHT TO VOTE Parliament and UK citizens over the Government age of 18 can vote Parliament and Government are After a general election, the in parliamentary separate institutions. They work party leader who commands elections. closely together but have distinct a majority in the House of roles. Commons, is asked to form a Government by the Sovereign The Government is responsible and is appointed Prime Minister. for running the country, This MP is usually the leader of implementing policy and drafting the largest political party. laws. Parliament is responsible for checking the Government’s The Prime Minister recommends work, making and amending ministers for formal appointment laws and representing the people. by the Sovereign. Ministers run their government MPs debating issues in the House and departments and propose new legislation questioning ministers when they by presenting bills to Parliament. make statements. The main business for debate in Parliament Proposing and amending legislation is, in general, decided by the party whips Parliament is responsible for making (often referred to as the usual channels) laws. Most legislation comes from the though this is dominated in the Commons Government but proposals can originate by the government whips. This ensures from an MP, a Lord, a member of the public that the Government can implement the or a private group. The House of Commons policies it was elected to carry out. and House of Lords must agree the text of any proposed legislation before it can Roles of the House of Commons become law. Scrutinising Government The House of Commons scrutinises Representing the people government policies to ensure that the The UK is divided into areas, called Government is working for the benefit constituencies, each of which elects a of those living in the UK. This scrutiny single MP to represent them in Parliament. includes: All residents of a constituency can contact MPs questioning government ministers, the local MP about issues that affect them either in the House or through written or that are being considered by Parliament. parliamentary questions. This process It does not matter whether they voted for helps to inform MPs of the work of the MP or even if they are entitled to vote Government and to hold ministers at all. to account. Select committees which ‘shadow’ Taxation government departments and carry As the democratically elected part of out inquiries into issues of concern. Parliament, the House of Commons has The Government is required to provide the right to raise taxes. This provides the witnesses and evidence for inquiries Government with money to deliver its and must respond to committee policies. The Chancellor of the Exchequer recommendations. presents the Budget to the House annually and the House passes a Finance Act to approve the taxes. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT PEOPLE, EVENTS AND PLACES IN PARLIAMENT... Contact one of our Information Offices by telephone, by email or in writing or visit our website – www.parliament.uk – to find out more about the work, history and membership of Parliament. We can: answer your questions on how Parliament works provide detailed publications on Parliament’s work and history give you help following debates and legislation in Parliament House of Commons Information Office House of Lords Information Office T: 020 7219 4272 E: [email protected] T: 020 7219 3107 E: [email protected] House of Commons Information Office, House of Lords Information Office, House of Commons, Westminster, House of Lords, Westminster, London, SW1A 0AA London, SW1A 0PW © Parliamentary Copyright August 2012.
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