The House of Commons

Question 1

What is the role of the backbenchers?

Answer 1

to question the Government

Question 2

Model Parliament

Answer 2

the first parliamentary court formed in 1295

Question 3

Creation of the chambers

Answer 3

the Model Parliament was split up into two chambers in 1341:
- The Upper Chamber, HOL
- the Lower Chamber, HOC

Question 4

Relationship between the two chambers

Answer 4

Both chambers question the other, since their creation they have tried to curb the powers of the other houses. While the Monarch has tried to promote stability and harmony. (one of the reasons Monarchy is considered the cement of the nation.)

Question 5

Appointment of the members of the HOC

Answer 5

Fully elected

Question 6

How many members in the HOC?

Answer 6

650, called Members of Parliament

Question 7

The main purpose of the HOC

Answer 7

• Make laws by passing Acts of Parliament
• Debate current political issues
• Hold the government to account
• Represent the public

Question 8

Law proposal

Answer 8

The House of Commons is in charge of it : debating and passing bills

Question 9

What kind of bills can the HOC propose?

Answer 9

• Government bills, i.e. law proposals drafted by the Government.
• Private Member’s bills, i.e. proposed by a backbencher.
  → including public bills, private bills, money bills.

Question 10

Shadow Government

Answer 10

they would take the place of the majority if there was a coup, the leader of the opposition is the Shadow Prime Minister

Question 11

How are the bills passed into Acts of Parliament?

Answer 11

• After three readings in the House of Commons & back and forth debate with the House of Lords.
• They will eventually be turned into laws once approved by the House of Lords, and given Royal Assent.
• A law can only be reviewed for one year. And cannot be done more than 3 times.

Question 12

Election of the MPs

Answer 12

The UK is divided into 650 different regions called constituencies where the public elect candidates to be their MP.
(A “constituent” is the name given to every person who lives within or is eligible to vote in a constituency)

Question 13

Are the MPs only working in Parliament?

Answer 13

No they also work in their constituency where they hold a “surgery” (discuss any matters with local people)

Question 14

Question Time HOC

Answer 14

• MPs can ask Ministers questions during Question Time or send written questions to them.
• The government is required to answer parliamentary written questions.
• The questions and answers are published in the Hansard, Parliament’s official transcript.

Question 15

Colour of the HOC

Answer 15

Green leather benches

Question 16

Inside the HOC, structure

Answer 16

• The Government sits on the benches to the right of the Speaker
• Some galleries on the top for the journalists
• Golden mace →a symbol of royal power.
• Despatch boxes contain the written bill.

Question 17

about The Speaker

Answer 17

• The speaker is the representative of the monarch within the HOC (monarch forbidden there)
• The speaker is elected at the start of each Parliament, with a maximum length of 5 years but they can be reappointed once.
• Preside over the debates in the Commons. It is a highly regarded position.
• the second most important “commoner” after the PM.

Currently Sir Lindsay

Question 18

What does the Speaker do during debates?

Answer 18

Contrary to what the title implies, the “Speaker” doesn’t speak but listens. They don’t make speeches or take part in debates.
They used to report to the Monarch, hence the name, but not anymore. It is now the role of the PM. But now the Speaker’s main function is that of a chairperson for the House of Commons, maintaining order in a debate.
→ Debates can become very loud, and tense as the Government and the Opposition are facing each other. The Speaker is therefore here to keep order.