Post on 12-Nov-2014
description
A service from the Houses of Parliament
Politically neutral
Aim is to increase knowledge and engagement with work and processes of Parliament
Not an alternative to MPs
Conservative - 305
Labour - 253
Lib Dem - 57
DUP - 8
SNP - 6
Sinn Fein - 5
Plaid Cymru - 3
SDLP - 3
Green - 1
Respect - 1
Alliance - 1
Independent - 3
Speaker - 1
Deputy Speakers - 3
The party or parties who
can command the
confidence of the House of Commons
forms the Government
The Government:
runs public departments such as The Home Office, the NHS
proposes new laws to Parliament
is accountable to Parliament
• Commons, Lords, Monarch • Holds Government to account • Passes laws • Enables taxation • Represents public • Raises key issues
• Some MPs and some Lords
• Chosen by the Prime Minister
• Runs Government departments and public services
• Accountable to Parliament
Government (Whitehall)
A politically neutral role
Signs off laws passed by Parliament (Royal Assent)
Opens Parliament each year
The democratically elected chamber of Parliament
There are currently
650 MPs
All MPs are elected every 5 years
The House of Lords is the second chamber of Parliament, often known as the revising House
There are currently 826 Members (as of October 2011) of whom 790 are currently eligible
These include: ◦ 710 Life Peers ◦ 92 Hereditary Peers ◦ 24 Bishops (max. 26)
Members of the House of Lords do not have constituencies so, in theory, you can contact any member
There is currently no Government majority in the House of Lords
A large number of Cross-Benchers – independent of political party – sit in the Lords
Biographies of all Members of the Lords are available at www.parliament.uk
Represents their constituency
Raises issues on behalf of constituents
Passes new laws
Scrutinises the work of Government
Helps constituents
with problems Visits groups and
individuals to hear issues/ concerns
Represents constituents to various bodies
Campaigns
In constituency In Westminster
Not sure who your MP is? Go to www.parliament.uk and use “Find Your MP”
You can also ask the House of Commons
Information Office for details on 020 7219 4272
You can phone, e-mail or write to your MP
Most MPs hold surgeries, where you can meet them in person
Penny Mordaunt, MP for Portsmouth North
Mike Hancock, MP for Portsmouth South
Questions to Ministers
Adjournment/ Westminster Hall debates
Early Day Motions
Meetings with Ministers
As well as questions, debates, early-day motions
Select Committees
All-Party Parliamentary Groups
10-Minute Rule Bill/ Private Members Bills
Government and individual
members can propose laws
All legislation proposed by the Government must be scrutinised by both Houses of Parliament
Members can suggest changes (“amendments”) at particular stages
Much of the most careful scrutiny goes on in Committee, particularly in the House of Lords
Cross-party
Both MPs and Members of the House of Lords
Based around common interest (e.g. Housing and care for older people, motor neurone disease, football) or countries of the world
Not involved in formal decision making, but important in developing knowledge