Functions of Parliament in the UK

starter activityWhich is the House of Lords and which is the House of Commons? Write down as many differences as you can between the two institutions.

Why do we have Parliaments?To understand the functions of legislaturesTo evaluate the pros and cons of bicameral systems Aims

Your taskRead Watts, p. 183 and explain the origin and meaning of the word legislature

What is a legislature?Parliament from French word, parler (talk)Legislature from Latin for legis (law) and latio (proposing)Representative assembly empowered to make laws A medieval parliament

Your taskWhat do parliaments do? Read Roberts, p.263 and create a spider diagram identifying the key functions of parliament.

Law-makingParliament is the UK legislatureSupreme law-making bodyConvention that legislation should be fully discussed before it is put to a voteThe judiciary is separate from the executive in the UK. Why do some analysts think this is a key strength of Britains constitutional setup?

RepresentationAs an elected body, the HoC is expected to reflect public opinion and respond to widely held grievancesMinority viewpoints should at least be allowed a hearingTo what extent do you think the HoC truly represents minority groups?

DebateApart from discussing legislation parliament is regarded as the proper place to debate issues of national concern even if they cannot be affected by a change in the law, e.g. September 2002 Parliament recalled to discuss possibility of war in IraqPMQs. Do you think important issues of the day are properly debated in the Commons?

Scrutiny of the executiveUnder the principle of accountability, ministers are accountable to parliament for their decisionsGovernments can be dismissed if they lose the confidence of a majority of MPsPeter Haine, who recently resigned from his Cabinet post following an investigation by the Electoral Commission

Recruitment of ministersBy convention all ministers must be members either of the Commons or of the Lords (e.g. Baroness Amos & Lord Falconer both served in Blairs govt.)In other words, members of the executive must also be part of the legislature (unlike the USA)Baroness Amos, Sec. of State for International Affairs

LegitimationElected part of Parliament, from which executive is largely drawnSupport from MPs provides the executive with legitimacyLoss of a vote in HoC may lead to a vote of confidence in the executive

HomeworkRead Watts, p.183 and create a scales chart summarising the advantages and disadvantages of bicameral systems. Use the BBC news website or other sources to find examples to illustrate each of the points.

Your taskWatch the clip from Parliament Uncovered and complete a spider diagram similar to the one below:

Your taskLook at the cartoon on p.264 (Item A). What point is the cartoonist making? To which function of Parliament does this refer?Using items A,B & D list the different roles of the Houses of Commons and Lords.How is the US Congress different from the UK Parliamentary system? Is this any better?

PlenaryGive arguments for and against recruiting ministers from the House of Lords or having cabinets of all the talents.