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FAQ

Parliament

What do we mean by Parliament?

Parliament is the highest legislative authority in the United Kingdom – the institution responsible for making and repealing UK law. It is also known as the Legislature. It consists of three constituent parts:

• House of Commons
• House of Lords
• Crown
• Members of the House of Commons are directly elected by the people of the United Kingdom in General Elections.

What does Parliament do?

Make laws (legislation) – the three constituent parts of Parliament all have to agree before a new law can be passed.

Examine the work of Government – The House of Commons and House of Lords scrutinise the work of Government in debates, parliamentary questions and through committees of inquiry known as Select Committees. These procedures force the Government to publicly explain and defend their policies.

Control finance – Only the House of Commons can give permission for the Government to control taxes. The House of Commons also decides what taxes are collected and how the money shall be spent.

Protect the individual – Parliament safeguards the interests of the public as a whole by examining the work of Government. Individual Members of Parliament can also help to protect the rights of the individual. Anybody who feels they have been unfairly treated can complain to their MP and they can then investigate the problem and help to provide a solution.

Examine European proposals – Both Houses of Parliament have committees which examine European proposals before they become law. The UK sometimes has to alter its laws to bring them into line with new European laws. Parliament is then able to prepare for the necessary changes.

Debate current affairs – Both Houses of Parliament hold general debates on matters of national and international importance. These debates can be on any subject.

How many MPs are there in the House of Commons?

There are 646 Members of Parliament.

How many women MPs are there in the House of Commons?

There are 126 women MPs.

Government

Who is the Prime Minister?

When the results of a General Election are known the Queen invites the leader of the party winning the most seats in the House of Commons to become Prime Minister and to form a Government. The Prime Minister is the leader of the Government and has a home and offices at 10 Downing Street. S/He must be a member of either the House of Commons or the House of Lords. The current Prime Minister is the Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown MP.

What is the Government?

The Government is the institution that runs the country. It is also known as the Executive. The Government formulates policy and introduces legislation in Parliament. Members of the Government are usually either members of the House of Commons or House of Lords. This enables Parliament to keep a check on their work by asking questions or debating the issues.

What is the Cabinet?

The most senior members of the Government are known as the Cabinet.

Who chooses the Cabinet?

The members of the Cabinet are chosen by the Prime Minister. The majority of the members are drawn from the House of Commons although there are always a few members from the House of Lords.

Elections

What was the date of the last general election?

Thursday 5th May, 2005.

How is the general election called?

The decision to call a general election is made by the Prime Minister, who asks the Queen to dissolve parliament. This is done by a Royal Proclamation requiring the writs to summon a new parliament to be sent out. At this point the general election timetable comes into effect. The timetable runs for eighteen days starting with the dissolution of the old Parliament and the issue of writs on day 0 and ends on day 17, polling day. For the purposes of the timetable, weekends and public holidays are disregarded.

Why are elections held on Thursdays?

This is custom only; the Prime Minister could choose otherwise. the last time the general election was not on a Thursday was Tuesday 27 October 1931. Other elections not held on a Thursday (since polling day fixed to a single day in 1918):
Saturday 14 Dec 1918; Wednesday 15 Nov 1922; Wednesday 29 Oct 1924.

What is the maximum length of a Parliament?

5 years - this is laid down in the Parliament Act 1911. The length of a Parliament has been extended twice - during World War I and World War II.

What happens to MPs when a general election is called?

Members cease to be Members once Parliament is dissolved. During the period of the dissolution ex-Members, even if standing for re-election, are not allowed to enter the Palace of Westminster or use any of its facilities. Members continue to be paid up until polling day as do Members' staff.

What happens to the Government when a general election is called?

The Government continues in office until the results of the election are known. The new Prime Minister will announce his cabinet soon after polling day.

Does the Queen vote?

Electoral law does not prohibit the Queen, or other members of Royal Family from voting. In practice it is considered unconstitutional for the Sovereign or heir apparent to vote in an election. Other members of Royal Family do not vote because of their closeness to the Sovereign.

When were women given the vote?

1918 – women aged 30 and over
1928 – women aged 21 and over (i.e. same basis as men at that time)

When was the voting age reduced to 18?

1969 for men and women.

Where can I find information on voting at an election?

British citizens are entitled to vote at elections providing that they are aged 18 or over and are not subject to any legal incapacity to vote. Citizens of other Commonwealth countries and the Irish Republic may also vote at parliamentary elections if they are resident in Britain, aged 18 or over and are not subject to any legal incapacity to vote.

The following people are not entitled to vote in parliamentary elections:

• peers and peeresses in their own right, who are members of the House of Lords
• young people under 18 years of age
• foreign nationals other than citizens of the Irish Republic resident in Britain (citizens of Commonwealth countries may vote)
• patients detained under mental health legislation
• sentenced prisoners
• people convicted within the previous five years of corrupt or illegal election practices.