House of Commons

• Functions of the House of Commons: Legitimation

  
  

  • Legitimation is a function of the House of Commons where it must approve all bills which become laws and has the power to support or question the government in the actions it takes.
• Functions of the House of Commons: Scrutiny

  • Scrutiny of the executive is when the party in government is held to account for their actions.
  • MPs can question government ministers on actions they have taken and have the power to remove ministers and the government from power.
• Functions of the House of Commons: Law making

  • House of Commons makes legislation (laws) that are binding to all UK citizens.
  • The Constitution states that under parliamentary sovereignty, parliament is the ‘supreme’ law-making authority in the UK
• Functions of the House of Commons: Representation

  • MPs must protect the needs and interests of people in their constituency in Parliament.
  • MPs speak on behalf of their constituents in Parliamentary debates and make voting decisions on laws which appeal to their constituents.
• Functions of the House of Commons: Providing ministers

  • The House of Commons provides ministers to form the government.
  • All ministers must be MPs, including the prime minister.
  • Ministers are chosen from the House of Commons by appointment by the prime minister.
  • Ministers make up the cabinet, and shadow ministers in the opposition make up the shadow cabinet.
• Functions of the House of Commons: Debate

  • Debate is a function of the House of Commons.
  • MPs debate major issues of importance to voters and the country