My completed essay which got me a Distinction. Includes introduction on Parliament, legislative stages, advantages & disadvantages, influences on law making, Voyeurism Offences Act
Our parliament consists of: The House of Commons, the House of Lords, and the monarchy. The
public has a general election in which we vote for an MP for the House of Commons. The result
of this gives us our prime minister and government. After our general election, the number of
seats are added up for each political party; the leader of the political party with the most seats
is then asked to become prime minister and form the government.
An official government document known as a "green paper" includes policy recommendations
for discussion and debate before the appropriate course of action is chosen. It frequently
includes alternative policy choices to consider.
The government creates white papers as policy documents outlining its suggestions for
upcoming legislation. White Papers are often published as Command Papers and may include a
draft version of a Bill being planned. Before a Bill is formally presented to Parliament, this paves
the way for additional consultation and discussion with interested or affected parties and
enables the making of necessary revisions.
The government frequently has specific proposals for new laws, some of which may have been
part of their election manifesto. Without first seeking input, they will forward these concepts
directly into parliament. By issuing a green paper, they may occasionally desire to consult
various groups before putting a proposal into parliament. The government will ask for feedback
on the suggestions made in this document, which they may then incorporate into their bill.
They may then publish a white paper outlining their firm ideas for a new law after obtaining
these replies. Typically, the draft bill will be based on these plans. A bill becomes an act and
eventually becomes a part of the law once it has gone through all the stages.
The legislative stages
1. First reading: in the House of Commons, the bill is announced by the government
minister responsible or the promoter of the bill. A date will be set for the next reading.
There is no debate or vote.
2. Second reading: there will be a debate on the general idea behind the bill. A vote will be
taken on whether the bill should go ahead. If a bill passes this stage, it will become law.
3. Committee stage: a committee of 16-50 MPs will consider the bill clause by clause and
line by line. Amendments can be made at this stage.
4. Report stage: the committee report back to the House on their discussions and
suggested amendments.
, 5. Third reading: there may be another general debate on the proposals in the bill and
another vote on the bill or the amendments.
6. If the bill and its amendments are accepted, it will be passed to the House of Lords for a
similar process to take place. At the end of their discussions, it will be returned to the
Commons.
7. ‘Ping-Pong’ stage: if amendments are made by the Lords, they will be considered by the
Commons. The amendments may be accepted in which case the bill passes for Royal
Assent or they may lead to further discussion or debate. This stage is formally known as
‘Lords Amendment Considered.’
8. Royal Assent: the bill is signed by the monarch and then becomes an act. It comes into
force at midnight of the day the act is signed, unless otherwise stated.
The government creates white papers as policy documents outlining its suggestions for
upcoming legislation. White Papers are often published as Command Papers and may include a
draft version of a Bill being planned. Before a Bill is formally presented to Parliament, this paves
the way for additional consultation and discussion with interested or affected parties and
enables the making of necessary revisions.
A government policy is a regulation or guiding principle that should help decisions be made in a
way that benefits the community or unit. The justifications for why things should be done a
certain way are outlined in government policy. In order to ensure that policies are carried out
properly, processes and protocols are developed as a result. The "how," "where," and "when"
of how policies will be carried out are determined by procedures and protocols.
The description of a path of action in government policy serves as a springboard for change.
They have a say on things like tax rates, laws governing immigration, pensions, parking tickets,
and even where you go to school. While non-discriminatory rules are the goal, certain groups of
people may be impacted by them. Although they are not laws, policies can result in laws.
Different types of bills can be introduced by:
The government
Individual MPs or Lords
Private individuals or organizations
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