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Explain and Analyse three functions of the UK Parliament [9]
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Explain and Analyse three functions of the UK Parliament [9]
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Explain and Analyse three functions of the UK Parliament [9]Firstly, there are several checks and balances on the government to represent the electorate and protect the
people from any form of authoritarian rule. The first being the check on the Prime minister. When an idea is
proposed by him/her, it firstly goes through the cabinet and next to the lower chamber. The MPs regularly
question and suggest ideas to the PM concerning his/her political beliefs and suggestions. For example, on the
15th of January 2019, Theresa May's Brexit deal was proposed to the house of which was turned down, 432 to
202 in favour of the rejection of the agreement. This example shows the check on the PMs power by the rest of
the lower chamber. This function of Parliament is key to keeping a democratic, untyrannical system that this
country holds. There are also checks on the government by the delay of bills that the House of Lords can
impose. Before 1949, the House of Lords could delay any bill put forward by the Commons by two years. Since
the Parliament Act of 1949, this function has been reduced, to a subtle one year, but still taking effect. This does
show the reducing amount of power that the Upper Chamber holds within Parliament. For example, in 2004 the
Hunting act came to the stage, Tony Banks attempted to ban the hunting of Foxes, Deer and other mammals
using dogs. This came to much disagreement with the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The house
of lords could not come to an agreement so decided to carry out the 1949 Parliament act, forcing Parliament to
re-think this bill for another year. This check on the government allows for the House of Lords to have a say in
what is passed through—delaying any ill-conceived laws from passing through the commons. On the other
hand, Lord Hailsham believed in the theory of Elective Dictatorship, which said that once the PM is elected,
there are little or no checks on their power. This controversial thought proves that although the government is
seen to be democratic, the prime minister can do more or less what he/she wants. Furthermore, another potential
negative check on the Prime Minister occurs during Friday's question time. This lasts 30 minutes, and it is less
of a review on the Prime Minister and more of a chance to get the press excited with big headlines and
controversial topics.
Secondly, the making and changing of laws allow for a more organic political system. With a changing society
and norm, new rules and the changing of existing ones are crucial to having a successful and fair government
system. The process of making and changing laws affects both chambers. But most of the power comes from
within the House of Commons.All government legislation must pass through what can be a lengthy process by
both the House of Commons and House of Lords before it reaches the statute book. Most laws are started in the
House of Commons and usually put forward by the ruling government. The key here is parliamentary
arithmetic, Boris Johnson has an 80 seat majority, there will be a huge wall to climb, all of which have the
conservative. In 1997 Tony Blair held a 145 seat majority which meant that more often than not bills were
passed through the House of Commons, very quickly and easily. Tony Blair did not need half of his government
to turn up on the voting day for their party to win the bill through. Although this seems un-democratic,
parliamentary arithmetic is the key to passing bills and laws through the house. The process of making and
changing bills and regulations is one of the most critical functions of Parliament as it relay's on the MPs who
represent their constituency's to vote or not vote bills through.
Finally, the debating of essential issues that crop up each day is a critical function which allows Parliament to
work. Many debates happen in both the House of Commons and the house of Lords. A similar system for
arguments applies across the Commons and Lords. Subjects are introduced as a proposal, or motion, by
Members, then debated according to strict sets of rules. Debates are an opportunity for MPs and Lords to discuss
government policy, proposed new laws and current issues. It allows MPs to voice the concerns and interests of
their constituents (electorates), and Members of the House of Lords can speak about issues brought to their
attention by the public. Debates are designed to assist MPs and Lords in reaching an informed decision on a
subject. This decision is then often expressed in a vote (a diversion), for or against. A controversial debate
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