Parliament of the United Kingdom

Print of Houses of Parliament before 1834 Fire

Victoria Tower, London.

John Hampden portrait

John Singleton Copley - Henry Addington, First Viscount Sidmouth - 26-1929 - Saint Louis Art Museum

Passing of the Parliament Bill, 1911 - Project Gutenberg eText 19609

Houses of Parliament in 2022

Parliament of the United Kingdom is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, the Crown dependencies, and the British overseas territories. It possesses legislative supremacy and ultimate power over all other political bodies in the UK and its territories. The Parliament is bicameral, consisting of an upper house, the House of Lords, and a lower house, the House of Commons. The Queen, as the Monarch of the UK, is the third component of the Parliament. The Parliament of the United Kingdom meets in the Palace of Westminster in London, England.

History

The origins of the UK Parliament can be traced back to the early medieval period, with the establishment of the Anglo-Saxon Witenagemot. Over the centuries, it evolved through various stages, from the Magna Carta in 1215, which limited the power of the monarch, to the establishment of the Parliament of England (pre-1707), the Parliament of Scotland (pre-1707), and the Parliament of Ireland (pre-1801). The current form of the Parliament of the United Kingdom was established in 1801, following the Acts of Union 1800, which merged the kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, later becoming the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Structure

The UK Parliament is divided into two houses: the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Members of the House of Commons, known as Members of Parliament (MPs), are elected through the First Past the Post electoral system in general elections and by-elections. The House of Lords is made up of appointed members, including life peers, bishops, and hereditary peers.

House of Commons

The House of Commons is the lower house but the primary legislative body in the Parliament. Its members are directly elected by UK citizens over the age of 18. The House of Commons is responsible for making and passing laws, and its members represent constituencies from across the UK. The leader of the majority party in the House of Commons is usually appointed as the Prime Minister.

House of Lords

The House of Lords is the upper house and is composed of appointed members, including life peers, bishops of the Church of England, and hereditary peers. The House of Lords acts as a revising chamber for legislation proposed by the House of Commons, with the ability to review, amend, and delay legislation, but not permanently block it.

Functions

The primary function of the UK Parliament is to pass laws, known as Acts of Parliament. It also has the responsibility to scrutinize the work of the government, allocate funds, and debate political issues. Parliament holds the power to grant and withdraw confidence from the government, which can lead to the resignation of the government or a call for a new election.

Procedure

Legislation can be proposed by the government or by members of either house. Bills must pass through several readings and stages in both houses before becoming law. The Monarch gives the final approval, known as Royal Assent, after which the bill becomes an Act of Parliament.

Significance

The Parliament of the United Kingdom is one of the oldest and most influential legislative bodies in the world. Its structure, functions, and procedures have served as a model for other democratic countries. The Parliament's decisions have a significant impact not only on the UK but also on its overseas territories and dependencies.

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