Parliamentary law making

• Who makes up parliament

  3 elements:

  • members of HOC (elected)
  • members of HOL (appointed)
  • the king
• What are the fundamental principles of democracy

  4 elements:

  • protection of individual rights
  • rule of law
  • equality of opportunity
  • accountability of those in power
• how many members are there in HOC

  650
• How many members are there in HOL

  800
• What is a green paper

  Where the government put forward their proposals so public can send comments to the government so all views can be considered
• what is a white paper

  Firm proposal by government that takes into account views received from green paper. Or can propose new law without any consultation
• What is a bill

  A name for a proposed law and drafted by lawyers
• What are the types of bills

  4 types:

  • private
  • public
  • private members
  • hybrid
• What are private bills 


  3 points:

  1. Affects individuals or corporations
  2. anyone directly affected can petition against it
  3. example is middle level bill
• What are public bills 


  2 points:

  1. Involves matters of public policy and will effect whole country or a large section of it
  2. example is equality act 2010
• What is a private members bill 


  3 points:

  1. Introduced + sponsored by individual MPs
  2. example is abortion act 2017
  3. recent examples could be employment allocation of tips 2023
• What is a hybrid bill


  3 points:

  1. mix between private + public and affect general pop but mainly specific groups
  2. longer procedure to allow petition
  3. example is high speed rail bill 2017
• Legislative process


  The steps a bill goes through to become a law
• Legislative process

  1. Proposal

  2. First Reading

  3. Second Reading

  4. Committee Stage

  5. Report Stage

  6. Third Reading

  7. Passage to the Other House
• Proposal

  • The bill is proposed. Bills can originate from various sources, such as government ministers, individual Members of Parliament (MPs), or outside organisations.
• First Reading

  • The bill is introduced to either the House of Commons or the House of Lords.
• Second Reading

  • The bill is debated in the House where it was introduced. MPs or Lords can express their opinions about the bill, and then a vote is taken. If the bill passes the second reading, it moves to the next stage.
• Committee Stage

  • The bill is then examined in detail by a committee of MPs or Lords, depending on which House it is in. The committee can make amendments to the bill before it moves on to the next stage.
• Report Stage

  • Any amendments made by the committee are debated and voted on by the full House. The House can make further amendments at this stage.
• Third Reading

  • The final stage in the House where the bill was introduced, during which the bill is debated and voted on for the last time.
• Passage to the Other House

  • The bill is passed to the other House for consideration.
• What are the advantages of the legislative process

  4 points:

  1. Democratic (general election is every 5 years)
  2. green paper allows suggestions
  3. bills go through lengthy discussion
  4. clear separation of powers
• What are the disadvantages of the legislative process

  4 points:

  1. HOL is unelected so is undemocratic
  2. Bill becoming an act can take a long time (consumer rights act 2015 took 14 months)
  3. acts of parliament can use complex legal language
  4. MPs vote to protect their party’s interest not with conscience or interest of constituents