uk legislature

• What does Parliament do?

  It enacts legislation and holds government accountable
• What is Parliament considered in the UK?

  Supreme legislative body
• What does legislative supremacy mean?

  Ultimate power over all political bodies
• How many chambers does the UK Parliament have?

  Two chambers
• What are the two houses of the UK Parliament?

  House of Commons and House of Lords
• What is the term for a legislative body with two chambers?

  Bicameral
• What is a key function of Parliament?

  Enact legislation with consent
• What is primary legislation?

  Legislation enacted at a national level
• How can Scotland and Northern Ireland enact legislation?

  Through devolution
• What role does Parliament play in government accountability?

  Scrutinizes government decisions
• How does Parliament debate public matters?

  In public sessions
• What is the role of Parliament in recruiting Ministers?

  Provides a recruiting ground for Ministers
• How does the executive body relate to Parliament?

  It sits within the legislative body
• How many Members of Parliament (MPs) are in the House of Commons?

  650 MPs
• What is the purpose of constituencies in the House of Commons?

  To represent people in specific areas
• Why are constituencies chosen with around 70,000 people?

  To ensure equal representation
• How is the House of Commons divided?

  Government on the left, opposition on the right
• What is the role of the opposition in the House of Commons?

  To scrutinize government decisions
• Who is the presiding officer of the House of Commons?

  The Speaker of the House of Commons
• What are the responsibilities of the Speaker?

  Presides over debates and maintains order
• How is the Speaker elected?

  From a pool of MPs
• What political role does the Speaker have?

  No political affiliation or bias
• What issue arises from the Speaker's constituency representation?

  Constituents have no representation in debates
• What are the main functions of Parliament?

  • Enact legislation
  • Hold government accountable
  • Debate public matters
  • Provide a recruiting ground for Ministers
• What are the key features of the House of Commons?

  • Elected branch of legislature
  • 650 MPs representing constituencies
  • Government sits on the left, opposition on the right
• What are the roles and responsibilities of the Speaker of the House of Commons?

  • Presides over debates
  • Maintains order during debates
  • Elected from MPs without political bias
• What are the implications of the Speaker's role on constituency representation?

  • Speaker cannot represent constituents in debates
  • Raises questions about democratic representation
• What is the House of Lords in the UK Parliament?

  It is the upper house of Parliament.
• What is the primary purpose of the House of Lords?

  To act as a check on the House of Commons.
• What acts secure the subordination of the House of Lords to the House of Commons?

  The Parliament Acts of 1911 and 1949.
• What is the Salisbury Convention?

  Lords must accept government manifesto proposals.
• Why should the House of Lords defer to the Commons on financial matters?

  It is a matter between the crown and Commons.
• How has the power of the House of Lords changed over time?

  It has been reduced by the Parliament Acts.
• Who primarily appoints members to the House of Lords?

  The Prime Minister using royal prerogative.
• How many senior Church of England bishops are in the House of Lords?

  26 senior bishops.
• What significant change occurred due to the House of Lords Act of 1999?

  Removed all but 92 hereditary peers.
• Why is attendance in the House of Lords typically low?

  There is no provision for retirement or expulsion.
• How much do House of Lords members receive for daily attendance?

  £300 for each day's attendance.
• What types of professionals are typically appointed to the House of Lords?

  Doctors, lawyers, and businesspeople.
• Why are the functions of the House of Lords considered controversial?

  They are seen as undemocratic and limited.