PARLIAMENT IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF UK POLITICS

THE FUNCTIONS OF THE PARLIAMENT:

The business of Parliament takes place in two Houses: the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
Their work is similar: making laws (legislation), checking the work of the government (scrutiny), and
debating current issues. The House of Commons is also responsible for granting money to the government
through approving Bills that raise taxes. Generally, the decisions made in one House have to be approved
by the other. In this way the two-chamber system acts as a check and balance for both Houses.

The Commons

The Commons is publicly elected. The party with the largest number of members in the Commons forms the
government.

Members of the Commons (MPs) debate the big political issues of the day and proposals for new laws. It is one
of the key places where government ministers, like the Prime Minister and the Chancellor, and the principal
figures of the main political parties, work.

The Commons alone is responsible for making decisions on financial Bills, such as proposed new taxes. The
Lords can consider these Bills but cannot block or amend them.

Checking the work of government

Parliament examines and challenges the work of the government. Both the House of Commons and the
House of Lords use similar methods of scrutiny, although the procedures vary. The principal methods are
questioning government ministers, debating and the investigative work of committees. The government
can publicly respond to explain and justify policies and decisions.

Questions

Questions to government ministers may be answered orally or in writing. Ministers from each government
department attend the Commons on a rota basis to answer oral questions. The Prime Minister answers questions
every Wednesday. In the Lords, the House questions government ministers at the start of each day's business, but
there are no set days for government departments.

Debates

Debates in the Commons look at national and international issues and can be on any subject. Votes are often
taken to see whether a majority of Members either support or reject any discussed proposals.

In the Lords, one day a week is set aside for general debates and short debates take place on most days (lasting
one and a half hours). There are no votes on such debates.

Committees

Committees of smaller groups of MPs and/or Lords look at specific policy issues or legislation in detail.
Different committees have different roles ranging from offering advice, to producing reports or altering
legislation. Both Houses have permanent and temporary committees. MPs and Lords also work together in Joint
Select Committees. The government issues responses to most committee reports.

Much of the work of the House of Commons and the House of Lords takes place in committees, made up of
around 10 to 50 MPs or Lords. These committees examine issues in detail, from government policy and
proposed new laws, to wider topics like the economy.
What MPs do

The UK public elects Members of Parliament (MPs) to represent their interests and concerns in the House
of Commons. MPs are involved in considering and proposing new laws, and can use their position to ask
government ministers questions about current issues.

MPs split their time between working in Parliament itself, working in the constituency that elected them, and
working for their political party. Some MPs from the ruling party become government ministers with specific
responsibilities in certain areas, such as Health or Defence.

Working in Parliament

When Parliament is sitting (meeting), MPs generally spend their time working in the House of Commons. This
can include raising issues affecting their constituents, attending debates and voting on new laws. Most MPs are
also members of committees, which look at issues in detail, from government policy and new laws, to wider
topics like human rights.

Working in their constituency

In their constituency, MPs often hold a 'surgery' in their office, where local people can come along to discuss any
matters that concern them. MPs also attend functions, visit schools and businesses and generally try to meet as
many people as possible. This gives MPs further insight and context into issues they may discuss when they
return to Westminster.

Legislation

Parliament is responsible for approving new laws (legislation). The government introduces most plans for
new laws, or changes to existing laws - but they can originate from an MP, Lord or even a member of the
public or private group. Before they can become law, both the House of Commons and House of Lords
must debate and vote on the proposals.

Introducing legislation

Bills normally introduce new laws. Bills that deal with more political or controversial issues usually begin in the
Commons.

Defeating and delaying legislation

To become law the text of a Bill must be agreed by both Houses. Either House can vote down a Bill in which
case it will normally not become law - but there are exceptions. The Commons can pass the same Bill in two
successive years, in which case it can become law without the agreement of the Lords. Bills which are only
about money (raising taxes or authorising government expenditure) are not opposed in the Lords and may be
only be delayed for a month.

Royal Assent

The reigning monarch has to approve all new laws - called the Royal Assent - but this is a formality as in
practice it is not withheld. Royal Assent was last withheld in 1708 when Queen Anne refused a Bill to settle the
Militia in Scotland.

When a Bill is given Royal Assent it becomes an Act of Parliament. It is then the responsibility of the relevant
government department to implement that law.

Debate

Both Houses hold debates in which Members discuss government policy, proposed new laws and current
issues. Debates are designed to assist MPs and Lords to reach an informed decision on a subject. Votes are
often held to conclude a debate, which may involve then passing or rejecting a proposed new law
(legislation) or simply registering their opinion on a subject. All debates are recorded in a publication
called 'Hansard' - available online or in print.

Debates - General

A similar system for debates applies across the Commons and Lords. Subjects are introduced as a proposal, or
motion, by Members, then debated according to strict sets of rules.

Why does Parliament have debates?

Debates are an opportunity for MPs and Lords to discuss government policy, proposed new laws and current
issues. It allows MPs to voice the concerns and interests of their constituents, and Members of the House of
Lords can speak about issues brought to their attention by the public.

Debates are designed to assist MPs and Lords to reach an informed decision on a subject. This decision is then
often expressed in a vote (called a 'division'), for or against.

Debates in the Commons

Commons debates are often lively, with MPs intervening on each other's speeches to support or challenge what
they are saying. It is a dynamic style of discussion, in which MPs generally respond to the points made by other
speakers rather than reading out formal, set-piece speeches.

However, rules still govern debates. MPs have a right to be heard without overwhelming background noise, and
unparliamentary language is not allowed.

Divisions

Members of both Houses register their vote for or against issues by physically going into two different
areas either side of their debating chambers. This is known as 'dividing the House', while the areas
concerned are 'division lobbies'. Therefore, a vote is called a 'division'.

Votes

When a vote is held the Speaker in the Commons - or Lord Speaker in the Lords - asks Members to call out
whether they agree or not. The Speaker will then judge whether there is a clear result. If this cannot be
determined, the Speaker or Lord Speaker calls a division by announcing 'clear the lobbies' (in the Commons) or
'clear the bar' (in the Lords).

Division bells

Members do not have to participate in a debate to be able to vote, and may be elsewhere in the Parliamentary
estate. To notify Members that a division is taking place, division bells located throughout the Parliamentary
estate and surrounding premises ring and TV screens with a specialised feed (called the 'annunciator service')
display that a division is taking place.

There are different division bells for the Commons and Lords, and Members only vote in the divisions specific to
their House. When the division bells ring Members have eight minutes to vote before the doors to the division
lobbies are locked.

Division lobbies
During a division, Members literally divide into two separate areas. These are called the Aye and No lobbies in
the Commons and the Contents and Not Contents lobbies in the Lords. As they pass through the lobbies, the
Members have their names recorded by clerks and are counted by tellers. Once the lobbies are empty the Speaker
(Commons) or the Lord Speaker (Lords) announces the result of the division. The whole process takes about
fifteen minutes.

The Speaker

The Speaker of the House of Commons chairs debates in the Commons chamber. The holder of this office
is an MP who has been elected to be Speaker by other Members of Parliament. During debates they keep
order and call MPs to speak.

The Speaker is the chief officer and highest authority of the House of Commons and must remain
politically impartial at all times. The Speaker also represents the Commons to the monarch, the Lords and
other authorities and chairs the House of Commons Commission.  The current Speaker is John Bercow,
MP for Buckingham.

Chairing debates in the House of Commons

The Speaker is perhaps best known as the person who keeps order and calls MPs to speak during Commons
debates.

The Speaker calls MPs in turn to give their opinion on an issue. MPs signal that they want to speak by standing
up from their seat (a custom known as 'catching the Speaker's eye') or they can notify the Speaker in advance by
writing.

The Speaker has full authority to make sure MPs follow the rules of the House during debates. This can include:

 Directing an MP to withdraw remarks if, for example, they use abusive language.
 Suspending the sitting of the House due to serious disorder.
 Suspending MPs who are deliberately disobedient (known as 'naming').
 Asking MPs to be quiet so Members can be heard.

Politically impartial

Speakers must be politically impartial. Therefore, on election the new Speaker must resign from their political
party and remain separate from political issues even in retirement. However, the Speaker will deal with their
constituents' problems like a normal MP.

Speakers and general elections

Speakers still stand in general elections. They are generally unopposed by the major political parties, who will
not field a candidate in the Speaker's constituency - this includes the original party they were a member of.
During a general election, Speakers do not campaign on any political issues but simply stand as 'the Speaker
seeking re-election'.

Whips

Whips are MPs or Lords appointed by each party in Parliament to help organise their party's
contribution to parliamentary business. One of their responsibilities is making sure the maximum number
of their party members vote, and vote the way their party wants.

Other whip duties

Whips are also largely responsible (together with the Leader of the House in the Commons) for arranging the
business of Parliament. In this role they are frequently referred to as 'the usual channels'.

Rules and customs

The origins of Parliament go back to the 13th century, so there are many rules about how it runs. Some of
these are written down and are called 'Standing Orders'. Other rules are set out in resolutions of the
House. However, much of how Parliament does its business is not determined by rules but has become
established through continued use over the centuries - this is sometimes known as 'custom and practice'.

Traditions of Parliament

A number of traditions are involved in the working of Parliament. Below are some examples.

Dragging the Speaker of the House of Commons

When a new Speaker of the House of Commons is elected, the successful candidate is physically dragged to the
Chair by other MPs.

This custom has its roots in the Speaker's function to communicate the Commons' opinions to the monarch.
Historically, if the monarch didn't agree with the message being communicated then the early death of the
Speaker could follow. Therefore, as you can imagine, previous Speakers required some gentle persuasion to
accept the post.

Voting

When MPs vote in the Commons they say 'aye' or 'no'. In the Lords, Members vote saying 'content' or 'not
content'.

Catching the Speaker's eye

To participate in a debate in the House of Commons or at question time, MPs have to be called by the Speaker.
MPs usually rise or half-rise from their seats in a bid to get the Speaker's attention - this is known as 'catching the
Speaker's eye'.

Parliament and Crown

Along with the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the Crown is an integral part of the institution
of Parliament. The Monarch plays an essential role in opening and dissolving Parliament and approving
Bills before they become law.

Parliament

The highest legislative authority in the United Kingdom. Made up of the House of Commons, House of Lords
and the Monarch.

Crown

This is another way of referring to the monarchy - which is the oldest part of the system of government in this
country. Time has reduced the power of the monarchy, and today it is broadly ceremonial..

Appointing a government
The day after a general election the Monarch invites the leader of the party that won the most seats in the House
of Commons to become Prime Minister and to form the government.

Opening and dismissing Parliament

The Crown opens Parliament through the State Opening (marking the beginning of the Parliamentary year). The
Crown dismisses Parliament before a general election at the request of the Prime Minister (dissolution).

King’s Speech

The Crown informs Parliament of the government's policy ideas and plans for new legislation in a speech
delivered from the throne in the House of Lords. Although the Monarch makes the speech, the government
draws up the content.

Royal Assent

When a Bill has been approved by a majority in the House of Commons and the House of Lords it is formally
agreed to by the Crown. This is known as the Royal Assent. This turns a Bill into an Act of Parliament, allowing
it to become law in the UK.

Devolved Parliaments and Assemblies

UK devolution created a national Parliament in Scotland, a national Assembly in Wales and a national
Assembly in Northern Ireland. This process transferred varying levels of power from the UK Parliament
to the UK's nations - but kept authority over the devolved institutions in the UK Parliament itself.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all held successful referendums on devolution in the late 1990s. This led to
the establishment of separate Parliaments or Assemblies and the democratic election of officials.

Devolved and reserved powers

Devolved powers are decisions that Parliament used to control, but are now taken by the separate bodies, ie, the
Scottish Parliament. This could include matters like education or health. Reserved powers are those decisions
that remain with Parliament in Westminster.

In each case, the legislation establishing the separate bodies determined which powers were devolved and which
were reserved.

Transfer of powers

The Scottish Parliament (Holyrood) and the National Assembly for Wales (Senedd) took responsibility for their
devolved powers on 1 July 1999, the Northern Ireland Assembly (Stormont) followed on 2 December 1999.