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What are the functions of Parliament?

What are the functions of Parliament?. Work with your partner and list as many different jobs or services that the House of Commons provides. The role of the Commons. Roberts, p.262-263. Law-making. Parliament is the UK legislature Supreme law-making body

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What are the functions of Parliament?

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  1. What are the functions of Parliament? Work with your partner and list as many different jobs or services that the House of Commons provides

  2. The role of the Commons

  3. Roberts, p.262-263

  4. Law-making • Parliament is the UK legislature • Supreme law-making body • Convention that legislation should be fully discussed before it is put to a vote The judiciary is separate from the executive in the UK. Why do some analysts think this is a key strength of Britain’s constitutional setup?

  5. Representation • As an elected body, the HoC is expected to reflect public opinion and respond to widely held grievances • Minority viewpoints should at least be allowed a hearing To what extent do you think the HoC truly represents minority groups?

  6. Debate • Apart from discussing legislation parliament is regarded as the proper place to debate issues of national concern even if they cannot be affected by a change in the law, e.g. September 2002 Parliament recalled to discuss possibility of war in Iraq PMQs. Do you think important issues of the day are properly debated in the Commons?

  7. Scrutiny of the executive • Under the principle of accountability, ministers are accountable to parliament for their decisions • Governments can be dismissed if they lose the confidence of a majority of MPs David Blunket, who resigned as Sec. of State for the Home Office following problems in his personal life. Should ministers accept this sort of responsibility?

  8. Recruitment of ministers • By convention all ministers must be members either of the Commons or of the Lords (e.g. Baroness Amos & Lord Falconer both served in Blair’s govt.) • In other words, members of the executive must also be part of the legislature (unlike the USA) Baroness Amos, Sec. of State for International Affairs

  9. Legitimation • Elected part of Parliament, from which executive is largely drawn • Support from MPs provides the executive with legitimacy • Loss of a vote in HoC may lead to a vote of confidence in the executive

  10.  Your task • Discuss the following question with your partner: “How effectively does the HoC fulfil all its roles?”

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