House of Commons (United Kingdom): Difference between revisions
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The '''House of Commons''' is the lower | The '''House of Commons''' is the lower house of the legislative branch of government in the [[United Kingdom]], one of the Houses of Parliament situated in [[London]]'s [[Palace of Westminster]]. Unlike the [[House of Lords]]' system of mostly appointed representatives, 646 [[Member off Parliament|Members of Parliament]] (MPs) sit in the Commons, and each is elected using the ''[[first past the post]]'' electoral system by a constituency of voters. Almost all MPs are members of a [[political party]], and the party which forms the majority of seats in the Commons usually forms the Government, with the head of the majority party as [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]]. The Opposition, being the largest minority party, sits opposite the Government. The [[monarchy of the United Kingdom|monarch]], at the request of the Prime Minister or after a maximum of five years, dissolves Parliament and a [[general election]] is held to decide the makeup of the House of Commons and, by extension, the Government. Debates in Parliament are often broadcast on [[radio]] and [[television]], and a formal publication is made daily of the business of both Houses in [[Hansard]]. | ||
The House itself is a chamber of green benches (those in the House of Lords are red). More senior politicians usually sit closer to the floor (though a 'frontbencher' is a government minister, and will also sit near the despatch boxes, from where major speeches are made), while lowlier members are positioned further back ('backbenchers'). Members of the governing party ideally face those of other parties, with two swordslengths separating them across the chamber; however, a large party may spill over onto the other side. In any case, there are not enough seats for all 646 MPs, so in well-attended debates many must stand or sit on the stairs. The chamber often has a lively atmosphere, with members cheering on or heckling speakers; debates are brought to order by the [[Speaker of the House of Commons|Speaker]], who is also an MP but has left their party. A public gallery allows non-members to view the proceedings. | The House itself is a chamber of green benches (those in the House of Lords are red). More senior politicians usually sit closer to the floor (though a 'frontbencher' is a government minister, and will also sit near the despatch boxes, from where major speeches are made), while lowlier members are positioned further back ('backbenchers'). Members of the governing party ideally face those of other parties, with two swordslengths separating them across the chamber; however, a large party may spill over onto the other side. In any case, there are not enough seats for all 646 MPs, so in well-attended debates many must stand or sit on the stairs. The chamber often has a lively atmosphere, with members cheering on or heckling speakers; debates are brought to order by the [[Speaker of the House of Commons|Speaker]], who is also an MP but has left their party. A public gallery allows non-members to view the proceedings, and MPs often congregate in the nearby [[Members' Lobby]] to discuss various matters. | ||
Under the 1911 [[Parliament Act]], the House of Commons, despite being the lower house, has supremacy and places a limit on the amount of delay that the Lords can have on | Under the 1911 [[Parliament Act]], the House of Commons, despite being the lower house, has supremacy and places a limit on the amount of delay that the Lords can have on bills enacting manifesto pledges. Ultimately, the [[House of Lords]] can only hold up, not block, almost all legislation, although legislation which is unpopular in the upper house is often modified in order to satisfy complaints from the Lords. The Parliament Act does not allow the Commons to force the [[House of Lords]] to pass legislation which the Lords originated. It has been used only a handful of times, most recently with the 2004 [[Hunting Act]], which banned hunting with dogs, and the [[Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act]], which lowered the age of consent for male homosexuals to 16. | ||
==Members of Parliament== | |||
{{main|Member of Parliament}} | |||
Members of Parliament must be over 18 and a citizen of the [[United Kingdom|UK]], an overseas territory, [[Ireland (state)|Ireland]] or the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]]. Bankrupts, lunatics, members of the House of Lords, those in prison for high treason, judges in high-level courts, civil servants, some officers of the Crown and serving members of the armed forces are not permitted to become MPs. MPs, once elected, [[Resigning from the UK Parliament#Resigning from the House of Commons|cannot technically resign]], but must seek disqualification through being given a Crown appointment in order to leave. | Members of Parliament must be over 18 and a citizen of the [[United Kingdom|UK]], an overseas territory, [[Ireland (state)|Ireland]] or the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]]. Bankrupts, lunatics, members of the House of Lords, those in prison for high treason, judges in high-level courts, civil servants, some officers of the Crown and serving members of the armed forces are not permitted to become MPs. MPs, once elected, [[Resigning from the UK Parliament#Resigning from the House of Commons|cannot technically resign]], but must seek disqualification through being given a Crown appointment in order to leave. | ||
Members of Parliament can introduce legislation to the Commons through a variety of methods, including [[Early Day Motions]] and through formal bills. They also able to sit on a variety of Committees which draft legislation, conduct investigations, listen to testimony from invited speakers and conduct a variety other business. Most legislation is proposed by the government, and the passage of bills through the House is overseen by the 'Leader of the House of Commons', a government minister. MPs may introduce their own 'private member's bill', but a full debate or vote is unlikely without government support. Sometimes the government will support a private member's bill that it wishes to see become law, but does not want to be directly associated with. | Members of Parliament can introduce legislation to the Commons through a variety of methods, including [[Early Day Motions]] and through formal bills. They also able to sit on a variety of Committees which draft legislation, conduct investigations, listen to testimony from invited speakers and conduct a variety other business. Most legislation is proposed by the government, and the passage of bills through the House is overseen by the 'Leader of the House of Commons', a government minister. MPs may introduce their own 'private member's bill', but a full debate or vote is unlikely without government support. Sometimes the government will support a private member's bill that it wishes to see become law, but does not want to be directly associated with. | ||
===Whips=== | |||
Voting on party lines is organised by MPs known as 'whips'. They direct members of their parties to vote in certain ways, according to party policy. Party MPs are issued with a 'three-line whip' when the party requires members to vote in a certain way. Defying the whip is regarded as a serious breach of party discipline, and offenders may 'have the whip withdrawn', i.e. are excluded from the parliamentary party. This does not affect an MP's right to sit, speak or vote in the House. A 'two-line whip' allows MPs to be absent by prior arrangement, and for a 'one-line whip' attendance is merely requested. | |||
Usually, whips also act as 'tellers' - MPs who count the votes. Voting is non-anonymous and a matter of public record. Four tellers oversee the voting, usually two from the governing party benches and two from opposition parties. When it is time to declare the results, the four tellers arrange themselves in a line on the floor of the House, in front of the Speaker and the despatch boxes. It is possible to determine whether the Government has won the vote before any announcement is made, as for such a victory it is one of the governing party tellers who makes the declaration. Once the result is announced, the paper is handed to the Speaker for confirmation, often to loud cheers or boos from all sides of the House. | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*[[Resigning from the UK Parliament#Resigning from the House of Commons|Resigning from the House of Commons]] | *[[Resigning from the UK Parliament#Resigning from the House of Commons|Resigning from the House of Commons]] | ||
*[[Members' Lobby]] | |||
*[[House of Lords]] | *[[House of Lords]] | ||
*[[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] | *[[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] | ||
Revision as of 22:20, 13 June 2008
The House of Commons is the lower house of the legislative branch of government in the United Kingdom, one of the Houses of Parliament situated in London's Palace of Westminster. Unlike the House of Lords' system of mostly appointed representatives, 646 Members of Parliament (MPs) sit in the Commons, and each is elected using the first past the post electoral system by a constituency of voters. Almost all MPs are members of a political party, and the party which forms the majority of seats in the Commons usually forms the Government, with the head of the majority party as Prime Minister. The Opposition, being the largest minority party, sits opposite the Government. The monarch, at the request of the Prime Minister or after a maximum of five years, dissolves Parliament and a general election is held to decide the makeup of the House of Commons and, by extension, the Government. Debates in Parliament are often broadcast on radio and television, and a formal publication is made daily of the business of both Houses in Hansard.
The House itself is a chamber of green benches (those in the House of Lords are red). More senior politicians usually sit closer to the floor (though a 'frontbencher' is a government minister, and will also sit near the despatch boxes, from where major speeches are made), while lowlier members are positioned further back ('backbenchers'). Members of the governing party ideally face those of other parties, with two swordslengths separating them across the chamber; however, a large party may spill over onto the other side. In any case, there are not enough seats for all 646 MPs, so in well-attended debates many must stand or sit on the stairs. The chamber often has a lively atmosphere, with members cheering on or heckling speakers; debates are brought to order by the Speaker, who is also an MP but has left their party. A public gallery allows non-members to view the proceedings, and MPs often congregate in the nearby Members' Lobby to discuss various matters.
Under the 1911 Parliament Act, the House of Commons, despite being the lower house, has supremacy and places a limit on the amount of delay that the Lords can have on bills enacting manifesto pledges. Ultimately, the House of Lords can only hold up, not block, almost all legislation, although legislation which is unpopular in the upper house is often modified in order to satisfy complaints from the Lords. The Parliament Act does not allow the Commons to force the House of Lords to pass legislation which the Lords originated. It has been used only a handful of times, most recently with the 2004 Hunting Act, which banned hunting with dogs, and the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act, which lowered the age of consent for male homosexuals to 16.
Members of Parliament
Members of Parliament must be over 18 and a citizen of the UK, an overseas territory, Ireland or the Commonwealth. Bankrupts, lunatics, members of the House of Lords, those in prison for high treason, judges in high-level courts, civil servants, some officers of the Crown and serving members of the armed forces are not permitted to become MPs. MPs, once elected, cannot technically resign, but must seek disqualification through being given a Crown appointment in order to leave.
Members of Parliament can introduce legislation to the Commons through a variety of methods, including Early Day Motions and through formal bills. They also able to sit on a variety of Committees which draft legislation, conduct investigations, listen to testimony from invited speakers and conduct a variety other business. Most legislation is proposed by the government, and the passage of bills through the House is overseen by the 'Leader of the House of Commons', a government minister. MPs may introduce their own 'private member's bill', but a full debate or vote is unlikely without government support. Sometimes the government will support a private member's bill that it wishes to see become law, but does not want to be directly associated with.
Whips
Voting on party lines is organised by MPs known as 'whips'. They direct members of their parties to vote in certain ways, according to party policy. Party MPs are issued with a 'three-line whip' when the party requires members to vote in a certain way. Defying the whip is regarded as a serious breach of party discipline, and offenders may 'have the whip withdrawn', i.e. are excluded from the parliamentary party. This does not affect an MP's right to sit, speak or vote in the House. A 'two-line whip' allows MPs to be absent by prior arrangement, and for a 'one-line whip' attendance is merely requested.
Usually, whips also act as 'tellers' - MPs who count the votes. Voting is non-anonymous and a matter of public record. Four tellers oversee the voting, usually two from the governing party benches and two from opposition parties. When it is time to declare the results, the four tellers arrange themselves in a line on the floor of the House, in front of the Speaker and the despatch boxes. It is possible to determine whether the Government has won the vote before any announcement is made, as for such a victory it is one of the governing party tellers who makes the declaration. Once the result is announced, the paper is handed to the Speaker for confirmation, often to loud cheers or boos from all sides of the House.