A colourful, informative

2. Find your way...
Almost everywhere we look and in every choice we make
Parliament has played a role, from the laws that govern our
CONTENTs
day-to-day lives to the public services we use and the
role of the UK in the global community.
This guide takes you to the heart of Parliament and
helps you find your way through the history, people
and processes. You can also find out how to get Highlights Page 2
involved and make your voice heard. History Page 4
Whether you are studying for a qualification or simply Democracy Page 6
looking for more information about politics and The Constitution Page 8
Parliament, this guide is for you. The EU Page 10
Parliament Page 12
Look out for the topics and icons that suit you and the
House of Commons Page 14
next steps you can take to find out more. House of Lords Page 16
Legislation Page 18
Key Elections and Voting Page 20
Political Parties Page 24
Pressure Groups Page 26
Get Involved Page 28
The Jargon Talking point Ten… Did you know? Next Steps
Definitions of key Debate and Ten facts Facts, statistics Where to go to
words and phrases discussion points not to miss and quotations find out more

3. Highlights
Westminster Hall
History, page 4: Follow the
history of Parliament, from
its medieval origins through
to votes for women and
up to the present day.
all
Central Lobby stmi
n st er H
We
Lobbying, page 26: Find out
how pressure groups have
their say in the political
of
process and what you can do se ns
Hou mmo ber
o am
C h
c
to get your own voice heard.
highlights
highlights
al
ntr
N’S Ce obby
EIG L
V ER ANCE
SO NTR
E
2 rds 3
us
f Lo
e o ber House of Commons
Ho cham
House of Commons, page 14: What
happens in the chamber, what do MPs
ry
lG alle do, and who do they represent?
R oya
House of Lords
House of Lords,
page 16: Who are
the Members of
Royal Gallery
the House of Lords The Monarch, page 12:
and how does their How does the role of
work impact on the the monarch fit into
decisions made in Parliament?
Parliament?

4. HISTORY
The history of Parliament goes back nearly 1,000 years and there are many
fascinating dates to pick from, so here are just a few to get you started.
1689
Bill of Rights
1836
The New Palace
Charles Barry wins the competition to
design Parliament’s new home after the fire
in 1834. Augustus Welby Pugin takes the
1999
House of Lords Act
Passing of the House
You can delve deeper into the past by visiting the Next Steps links online. role of interior designer, creating everything of Lords Act changes
1099
from fireplaces and furniture to inkwells. the membership,
In the Glorious
reducing the number
1897–1928
Revolution of 1688–89,
1605
of hereditary Peers
James II flees England
1295
to 92 and setting up
and Parliament offers
a new panel to select
the crown to William III
westminster hall and Mary II. Parliament
independent Members.
The Gunpowder Plot passes legislation setting Votes for Women
Westminster Hall is out exactly what is
commissioned by King model parliament expected of an English
Guy Fawkes is caught The National Union of Women’s
William II and completed monarch. The Bill of
trying to blow up Suffrage Societies is formed in
in 1099. The hall is the The first recognised Parliament is Rights helps to establish
Parliament. 1897, gathering together different
only part of the old made up of nobles, bishops and the constitutional groups campaigning for the right
Palace of Westminster still two representatives for each monarchy and political to vote. The Representation of
standing today. county and town – the model order which we still the People Act 1918 gives votes to
for future Parliaments. have today.
History
History
women – with certain conditions.
The Equal Franchise Act 1928
finally gives women the same
voting rights as men.
4 5
King John agrees to a Great Referendums on devolution are held, and
King Charles I is executed in 1649. Ignatius Sancho
Charter of Freedoms (“Magna results across the board lead to separate
In 1653, Oliver Cromwell becomes (1729–80) makes
Carta Libertatum” in Latin). devolved legislatures being established
Lord Protector and establishes history as the
This limits the king’s power – the Scottish Parliament and the National
the Nominated Assembly, which first black voter
over the Church and nobility. Assembly for Wales. The Northern Ireland
introduces civil marriages and the on record. He also
Assembly is established in 1998 following
registration of births, marriages writes accounts of political events,
referendums on the peace process in both
Magna Carta and deaths. campaigns against the slave trade
Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
and gives advice to MPs at his
1215
grocery shop in Westminster.
The House of Oliver Cromwell
Commons finds a Devolution referendums
The First Black Voter
1653
permanent home
1997
in old St Stephen’s
1780
Chapel.
The Commons Chamber
1547
Discover the whole fascinating story of Parliament with the Houses of
History interactive online timeline: www.parliament.uk/housesofhistory
And for more insight into the political, social and cultural history of
Parliament visit: www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage

5. DEMOCRACY
The Origins of UK Democracy
DATES
What would the UK be like if
we didn’t live in a democracy?
What are the strengths and
weaknesses of the UK system
of democracy?
Get started
What other options are there
and where are they in place
1 1215: In England, the
first step towards forging
a democracy came in 1215
6 1832: The first changes
were made to the voting
system in 400 years. The
right now?
The way we are governed involves decisions about society and how we live with Magna Carta, which Reform Act 1832 made
our lives. In the UK, we live in a democracy, with elected representatives limited the king’s power over representation and the
the Church and nobility. franchise fairer and simpler.
who make decisions on our behalf, so the power is ultimately in the hands It reworked constituency
of the people.
2 1265: Simon de
Montfort led a rebellion
against Henry III – and
boundaries and meant that
one in seven men could
vote. Further electoral
In detail Types of democracy: briefly captured him. He reform followed in 1867
In a democracy, the government’s power is Representative Democracy then called a Parliament for and 1884.
support and consultation.
dependent upon the consent of the governed
7
In a representative democracy, the citizens For the first time, 1889: Thomas Hansard
population. Abraham Lincoln described choose representatives to make decisions on representatives of towns began publishing
democracy as ‘government of the people, by their behalf. Representative democracies can and counties across England transcripts of parliamentary
the people, for the people’. The word has its be found in many parts of the world, including were consulted along debates in 1812. In 1889,
origins in two Greek terms – demos (people) the UK, Germany, Greece, South Africa, Taiwan, with the great barons. the Commons began to pay
D E MO C RA C Y
D E MO C RA C Y
and kratia (rule by) and translates as ‘rule by for Hansard to be produced
the USA, Canada and Australia.
the people’.
3 1430: The 40-Shilling
Franchise was
established to determine
as a permanent record of
proceedings. For more than
Direct Democracy 100 years, all debates have
Watch ‘Democracy? You who had the right to vote been printed – and now
In a direct democracy, the citizens assemble – this remained unchanged
Decide’ online with author also put online – by the
to make decisions for themselves, rather than
6 electing representatives to make decisions on and journalist Danny Wallace for the next 400 years. It following morning. 7
meant that everyone who
taking a light-hearted
their behalf. This type of democracy began in
ancient Athens, where male Athenian citizens look at governance in the
UK: www.parliament.uk/
owned or rented land with
an income of 40 shillings or
more per year could vote in
8 1918: The
Representation of the
People Act 1918 made
had the chance to debate and decide issues of
public importance. Examples of modern direct democracyyoudecide county elections. radical changes to the
electoral system – and gave
4
democracy are the Swiss cantons and some 1512: Henry VIII votes to women over the
BBC Democracy Live –
The three main US states. abandoned the Palace age of 30 and all men over
search, find and watch the of Westminster as a home
principles in politics that interests you
the age of 21.
in favour of the nearby
modern democracy:
1. ll citizens have the right
A
including recorded lectures,
interviews and information:
Palace of Whitehall and so
the Palace of Westminster
became the permanent
9 1928: The Equal
Franchise Act 1928
finally meant both men and
Politics: the activities and affairs www.bbc.co.uk/democracylive
to stand as candidates in home of Parliament. women over 21 years old
of a government or state.
local, regional and central could vote.
5
Watch live and archived 1689: The Bill of Rights
government elections, Dictatorship: a form of
where there is free competition between
political parties.
government in which one person
(dictator) or small group exercises
coverage of UK parliamentary
proceedings from the last 12
was created, limiting the
powers of the monarch
and setting out the rights
10 1969: The age at
which men and women
could vote was lowered from
months: www.parliamentlive.
absolute power. of Parliament. 21 to 18, as it remains today.
2. It is the duty of citizens to actively participate
tv/Main/Archive.aspx
in the democratic process (vote in free Suffrage: the right to vote.
and fair elections) where there is political
These key dates set the scene for modern
equality (‘one person, one vote’).
10
democracy. The system has continued
3. ll decisions should be made by majority vote.
A to develop and will do so in the years to
come, ensuring it continues to support
an ever changing UK.

6. The Constitution
Devolution – why did it happen and what does it mean?
Following referendums in Scotland and Wales in 1997, and in Northern
Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in 1998, certain powers of UK
Parliament have been devolved, or passed on, to the Assemblies in
Northern Ireland and Wales, and to Scotland’s Parliament. They have the
power to decide on matters such as education, health and social services.
Get started The Scottish Parliament has greater control over Scotland’s internal
affairs. However, the UK Parliament remains the main law-making body
The UK Constitution provides a framework of rules and in Britain and controls such matters as UK defence, broadcasting
fundamental principles that govern the country. It defines the and space exploration.
structure, procedures, powers and duties of the Government The devolved legislatures have the power to make laws or policy on
and therefore encourages Government stability by enabling certain issues known as devolved matters. These include:
everyone to understand the rules. • griculture, forestry, fishing and the environment
A
• Education and training
The origins of the British Constitution go back to before • ealth, housing, home affairs and local government
H
1066. It is an uncodified constitution and although many • Natural and built heritage
of the constitutional rules have been written down, they • Police and fire services
have never been collated in one place. It is also a flexible • ocial work, sport and the arts
S
constitution, which means that changes can be made through
the constitution
the constitution
• tatistics and public records
S
Acts of Parliament and referendums. • ourism, economic development and transport
T
In detail u
nb r
Edi
gh
Parliamentary sovereignty Find out more
Parliamentary sovereignty is the most about the
important principle of the UK constitution. devolved
8 It makes Parliament the supreme legal legislatures 9
fa
authority in the UK, which means that it can el s by visiting the
t
B
create, change or end any law. No Parliament following websites:
can pass laws that future Parliaments cannot
change. However, over the years, Parliament
Stormont The Welsh Assembly:
www.assemblywales.org
has passed laws that limit the application of
parliamentary sovereignty, such as: The Scottish Parliament:
www.scottish.parliament.uk
• he devolution of power to the Scottish
T
Parliament, Welsh Assembly and Northern The Northern Ireland Assembly:
Ireland Assembly www.niassembly.gov.uk
• The Human Rights Act 1998
• The UK’s entry to the European Union in 1972
• he decision to establish a UK Supreme Court
T
in 2009, which ended the House of Lords’
function as the UK’s final court of appeal
Holyrood di
ar
ff
C
The senedd

7. The Constitution The European
Parliament sits in both
EU BY NUMBERS
The eu
EU – How does the UK fit in?
1 Six countries made up
the EU when it was first
established on the 23rd
Brussels July 1952 – Belgium, France,
The European Union (EU) is a partnership of
Italy, the Netherlands, West
27 democratic countries, working together for Germany and Luxembourg.
the benefit of all their citizens. It aims to promote
social and economic progress, common foreign and
security positions, police and judicial co-operation 2 Around 500 million
people live in the EU
– the largest population is
in criminal matters, and European citizenship.
Germany, with 82.1 million
The European Parliament makes decisions on people, and the smallest is
new European laws jointly with the Council of Malta, with 0.4 million people.
the European Union. The Parliament is the only
3 23 official languages are
the constitution
the constitution
directly elected body of the European Union.
spoken in the EU.
It has 754 Members (MEPs), including 74 from
the UK who represent people in different areas usse
Strasbourg 4 754 Members sit in the
Br
ls
of the country. European Parliament.
bo
Where EU member states have agreed to act as
5 €147.2 billion was the
ur
Str
together, all laws passed at the European level
g
EU budget for 2012.
are considered legally superior to domestic
10
law – in these circumstances, should European
Community (EC) law and UK law conflict, 6 4,324,782 km2 is
the total land mass
of the EU.
11
EC law prevails, as was the case with the
Working Time Directive. What do you think are the pros
and cons for the UK of being a 7 One motto for the EU –
‘United in Diversity’.
member of the EU?
When has EC and UK law
conflicted and what has been
8 9th May is the official
‘Europe Day’ each year.
the outcome?
9 Two main bases for the
European Parliament –
754
The European Parliament has Committee meetings are
held in Brussels and plenary
sessions in Brussels and
Strasbourg. Additional
74
administration is located
in Luxembourg.
10 17 out of the 27
member countries
make up the Eurozone and
use the Euro as their
Members
Find out more about the UK Constitution by
official currency.
Members clicking on ‘Find out about your rights’ here:
www.direct.gov.uk/rights
from the UK
10
Explore Europa, the official website for the
European Union: http://europa.eu

8. Parliament
Take a video tour of Parliament:
www.parliament.uk/about/
podcasts/video-tours
Find out more about the role
and types of Committees: www.
Get started parliament.uk/business/committees
In British parliamentary democracy, there are three elements: the House of Look out for lots of great books about Parliament,
Commons, the House of Lords and the monarch. The main work of Parliament including ‘How Parliament Works’ by current
Clerk of the House of Commons and Chief
is to make laws (legislation), keep a check on the work of Government (scrutiny) Executive, Robert Rogers and Rhodri Walters.
and represent the views of people across the country (representation).
In detail
Scrutiny and the role of Committees General Committees
The two-House system
Committees are a crucial tool for scrutinising The main role of General Committees is to
The UK has a bicameral legislature, which means the work of Government. Most Committees consider proposed legislation in detail. Most
that the business of Parliament takes place in fall into one of two categories: Bills are dealt with in Public Bill Committees,
two Houses – the House of Commons and the which are unique to the House of Commons, as
House of Lords. Both Houses of Parliament hold Select Committees the Lords generally meet as a whole House to
debates in which Members discuss Government Made up of Backbench MPs or Members of the perform this function. A Committee usually has
Parliament
parliament
policy, proposed legislation and current issues. House of Lords, Select Committees examine 15 to 50 members who reflect the make-up of
The House of Commons is also responsible the spending, administration and policy of the House, with the Government always holding
for granting money to the Government Government departments. a majority.
through approving Bills that raise taxes. Over
In the Commons, there is a Select Committee Public Bill Committees undertake in-depth
60 countries operate bicameralism because
for every Government department. Each has a scrutiny of Bills. Activity focuses on discussion
the existence of a second chamber is believed
12 to offer several advantages, including more
minimum of 11 members who decide upon a line and debate, but since 2006, Public Bill 13
of inquiry and call for written and oral evidence Committees have had the power to take
thorough scrutiny of legislation.
from people involved in or affected by the topic written and oral evidence from outside
being examined. The outcome of the inquiry is officials and experts.
presented as a report with recommendations, Once a Committee has finished looking at a Bill,
which the Government usually responds to. it reports its conclusions and any amendments
The role of the monarch Select Committees in the House of Lords to the House of Commons. Members debate
In the UK, power lies with Parliament, not the investigate specialist subjects, taking advantage of the Bill again ‘on Report’ in the main Chamber,
monarch. However, the monarch does play a the Lords’ experience and knowledge in specific where more amendments may be tabled.
role in the processes of Parliament, including: areas. These Committees concentrate on four Other General Committees include Delegated
• eeting the Prime Minister once a week to
M main areas: Europe, science, economics, and the Legislation Committees, European Committees,
discuss current business. UK constitution. and Grand Committees, which deal with matters
• ormally opening Parliament and delivering
F Joint Select Committees consist of both MPs and relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
‘The Queen’s Speech’, which announces the Lords and have similar powers to Commons or
Government’s plans for the year. Lords Select Committees. Some are set up on
• ormally agreeing new laws by giving Royal
F a permanent basis, like the Joint Committee on
Assent to Bills that have completed their Human Rights, and others deal with a specific
passage through both Houses of Parliament. matter, such as examining draft proposals for
Bills on subjects ranging from gambling to stem
cell research.

9. Parliament
The House of Commons is the elected chamber of Parliament.
– House of commons
Government: The national
Government in the UK has
responsibility for developing and
implementing policy and for drafting
laws. It is also known as the Executive.
Government Members sit on the
Opposition: Includes the political
parties other than the governing
party or parties. They are called the
Opposition because they sit on the
benches opposite the Government in
the House of Commons and House of
benches to the right of the Speaker. Lords chambers.
Members of the Commons debate the big political issues of the day
and proposals for new laws. The Government is accountable to
Parliament and the public. In the House of Commons, MPs can hold
the Government to account in a number of ways. Prime Minister’s
Questions and Ministerial Questions offer the opportunity to
question and challenge the Government’s policies.
Parliament – house of commons
Parliament – house of commons
Representation
MPs represent their constituents (including
those who didn’t vote for them) and
their party. They split their time between
working in Parliament itself and working
in their constituency. Some MPs from the
governing party (or parties) are chosen to
become Government Ministers with specific
responsibilities in areas such as health,
14 education or defence.
15
Cabinet: Made up of about 20 senior Speaker: The Speaker of the House
Ministers chosen by the Prime Minister. of Commons chairs debates in the
Backbencher: An MP who The Legislature: The group of people who It makes decisions on Government policy Commons chamber and ensures
does not hold Government exercise legislative power, including making laws. and co-ordinates the work of the different that MPs follow the House’s rules
office as a Minister or, in In the UK, this refers to the two parliamentary Government departments. Ministers sit on and traditions.
the Opposition, does not sit chambers of the Westminster Parliament, as the front bench in the Chamber. A full list
as a frontbench spokesperson in the Shadow well as the Scottish Parliament and Welsh and can be found here: www.number10.gov.uk
Cabinet. In the debating chamber they sit Northern Ireland Assemblies.
on the back benches.
The Executive: The group of people who
The House Watch MPs in their own words – Watch videos including Prime
exercise executive power over the state, with of Commons
ultimate responsibility for its daily administration. MPs reflect on politics, popularity, Minister’s Questions on the official
In the UK, this is the members of the Government parties, procedure and much more YouTube channel for the United
led by the Prime Minister. The term also applies in these short video clips: Kingdom Parliament to see the
to the devolved Governments of Scotland and www.parliament.uk/mpinterviews House of Commons in action:
Wales, and to the Northern Ireland Executive. www.youtube.com/ukparliament
Find out more about the House of
Commons online: www.parliament. Discover more about Government
uk/business/commons/what-the- departments here: www.number10.
commons-does gov.uk/the-coalition/the-government

10. Parliament – House of LORDS
In 2010–11, Members
7,546
of the House of Lords put
The House of Lords is the second chamber of the UK Parliament.
It is independent of the elected House of Commons and shares the
task of making and shaping laws and checking and challenging the work
of the Government.
It has three main roles: • olding Government to account:
H
• aking laws: All Bills have to be considered
M Members scrutinise the work of the questions to the Government.
by both Houses of Parliament before they Government during Question Time and
debates, where Government Ministers
P a r l i a m e n t – h o u s e o f LORDS
P a r l i a m e n t – h o u s e o f LORDS
can become law.
must respond.
• n-depth consideration of public policy:
I
Members use their individual experience Members of the House of Lords
to debate public policy in the House An Open House: The Lords chamber was
first televised in 1985, and the Lords currently The House of Lords Act 1999 ended the right
and in Select Committees. of most hereditary Peers to sit and vote in
has members from all parties blogging
together (lordsoftheblog.net). It also tweets the House and led to significant changes in
from @UKHouseofLords. its membership. Ongoing discussions explore
further possible reforms, but currently the
House of Lords is made up of three groups:
• ife Peers: The majority (about 700) of
L
Opposition: As with
Government: Just as with Members are appointed for their lifetime by
the Commons, Members
the Commons, one side of the the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister.
from the main Opposition
16 House of Lords is made up of party and all other
Any British, Irish or Commonwealth citizen 17
the Members who represent who is a UK resident aged over 21 is eligible
parties sit opposite the
the governing party or parties. to be nominated or can apply. Life Peers are
Government benches. The House
of Lords appointed based on their knowledge and
experience. Many are experienced politicians,
but others have expertise in areas such as
business, the arts, education and sport.
• lected hereditary Members: A smaller group
E
of hereditary Peers (92) are also Members.
• rchbishops and bishops: 26 Church of England
A
archbishops and bishops sit in the House of Lords.
What are the pros and cons of having an
unelected second chamber?
Crossbenchers: If the chamber became part or wholly elected,
Crossbench Peers how might this change the make-up and work
are so called of the House?
because they sit on
Who might you nominate as a Life Peer?
Lord Speaker: Sits on benches between Download: A quick guide
the ‘Woolsack’ and chairs the Government and to the House of Lords: www.
daily business in the House Opposition. They parliament.uk/documents/lords-
of Lords chamber. They are independent information-office/HoLwhat-
also act as an ambassador Members who don’t the-lords-and-its-members-
for the work of the House. take a party whip. do-v2.pdf.