6. Parliament - Definitions

Parliament

the British legislature made up of the House of Commons, House of Lords, and the monarch

House of Commons

primary chamber of the UK legislature, directly elected by voters. 650 members

House of Lords

second chamber of the UK legislature, not elected by voters. ~800 total members - 92 hereditary peers and 26 Lords Spiritual (bishops)

bicameral

a legislative body made up of two chambers

Opposition

MPs and Lords who are not members of the governing party

Backbenchers

MPs or Lords who do not hold any government office

Party whip

a party official appointed by the party leader whose role is to maintain party discipline and loyalty, and to inform

Speaker

an MP elected by all other MPs who presides over the proceedings of the House of Commons. expected to be impartial

Life peer

a prominent member of society who is granted a peerage, which entitles them to attend the House of Lords for life

Crossbencher

members of the Lords who are not members of any political party (different from non-affiliated)

Legislating

the function of making, amending, and passing laws

Scrutiny

the close examination and investigation of government policies, actions, and spending

Representation

representing constituencies, groups, national interest, or social representation

Salisbury Convention

the convention whereby the House of Lords does not delay or block legislation that was included in a government’s manifesto

consent

the idea that a proposed law or decision by the government is formally consented to by the people - vital in a democracy. in the UK, the elected Parliament grants consent on behalf of the people

ballot

the means by which an MP may introduce a Private Member’s Bill with the opportunity for full discussion and debate with allocated time

Ten-minute Rule Bills

a means of introducing private members’ legislation by making a ten-minute speech introducing the issue for consideration

presentation

a means of introducing Private Members’ Bills by notifying the House and then presenting the title of the bill with no discussion or comment

Private Members’ Bills

bills introduced by backbench MPs

secondary legislation

(sometimes called delegated legislation) any legislation made by a member of government that does not need to pass through normal parliamentary procedures. normally made by government ministers