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A-Level Politics AQA
UK
The Structure and Role of Parliament
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A-Level Politics AQA > UK > The Structure and Role of Parliament
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A-Level Politics AQA > UK > The Structure and Role of Parliament
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Cards (15)
Composition of Parliament
UK parliament has
two
chambers and it is a
bicameral
legislature
Hoc
is the
lower
chamber
HoL
is the Upper chamber
Bicameralism benefits
Upper house
provides checks and balances
greater level of
scrutiny
two
houses may represent different
interests
Bicameralism Problems
possible
conflict
between the two houses
may cause a
gridlock
where
laws
cannot be passed
Lower
(democratic) chamber may become frustrated with
upper
(appointed) chamber
Composition of Parliament
House of
Commons
-
650
elected MPs
House of
Lords
- approx
800
unelected life peers,
aristocratic
,
hereditary
and
bishop
peers
Current government majority
conservative
party forms a majority government
current working majority is
54
, takes into account the speaker and their
deputies
and the non-sitting
sinn
fein Mps
sinn fein mps don't take up their seats on
moral
grounds nor do they receive the
MPs
salary however they are entitled to
expenses
Functions of Parliament
Key function : Parliament helps maintain
legitimacy
and uphold the
British
political system
Key Functions of Parliament
Making
law / passing
legislation
scrutinising the
executive
, including role of the
opposition
debating
major issues
recruitment
of the executive -
PMs
and
Ministers
representation
Making Law / Passing Legislation
all
legislation
must pass through both houses before it reaches the
statute
book
allows members to
debate
the bill
Most legislation begins in the
commons
, all finance bills start in the commons bc it controls
tax
and
spending
in
HoL
peers can introduce bills bia a
ballot
however a tiny
minority
only ever become law
Sometimes
secondary
legislation is used to amend to add to an existing act of parliament ie the misuse of
drugs
act
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