Structure of Parliament: House of Commons

What type of government does the UK have?

Parliamentary

What type of legislature does the UK have?

Bicameral

What are the benefits of bicameralism?

- Upper house provides checks and balances

- Allows greater scrutiny of chamber and legislation

- May represent different interests

What are the problems with bicameralism?

- Legislative gridlock due to institutional conflict

- Unelected house may be considered unconstitutional

What are the chambers which make up parliament?

- House of Commons (lower)

- House of Lords (upper)

What is the House of Commons?

The lower and primary chamber of the UK legislature

- Democratically elected

- Single-member constituencies

How many members of parliament are there?

650

What is the structure of the Commons chamber?

- Governing party sits on benches to the right of the speaker’s chair

- Members of opposition parties on the left

How many ministerial positions are there?

Over 100

What is a shadow minister?

Appointed by the opposition party to oversee and scrutinise their governing counterpart

What is a frontbencher?

Ministers and shadow ministers who occupy the benches closest to the floor of the chamber

What is a backbencher?

MP who does not hold a ministerial or shadow ministerial post

How much are MPs paid?

Basic annual salary: £91,346 (April 2024)

What does the Independent Parliamentary Salaries Authority do?

- Increases annual salary

- Regulates and pays expenses

What is parliamentary privelege?

Legal immunity

→ Ensures they can carry out parliamentary duties without interference

What are the key elements of parliamentary privilege?

- Freedom of speech

- Exclusive cognisance

What constitutes freedom of speech in parliament?

Members of both houses are free to raise any issue without prosecution

→ e.g. revealing information subject to court injunctions

What is exclusive cognisance?

The right of each house to regulate its eternal affairs without interference from external bodies

What did the 2009 expenses scandal show?

Parliamentary privilege does not mean MPs are above the law

What happens if MPs are imprisoned or suspended?

May be dismissed by voters (Recall of MPs ACt 2015)

- If, after 8 weeks, 10% have signed the recall peition, the seat is declared vacant and a by-election is scheduled

- The MP can then stand in this by-election

When is there no right of recall?

- When an MP defects

- Constituents disapprove of their voting record