The House of Commons

This page focuses on the House of Commons, the lower chamber of the British Parliament, explaining its composition and functions.

Key aspects of the House of Commons:

• Consists of 651 Members of Parliament (MPs) elected to represent the British people
• Has a maximum term of five years, after which a general election must be held
• A general election can be called by the government at any time
• Important members are referred to as front-benchers, while less prominent members are back-benchers
• Main functions include defining and passing laws and regulations governing the UK

Vocabulary: Front-benchers are senior members of a political party who sit on the front benches in Parliament, while back-benchers are less senior members who sit behind them.

The Political System of the United Kingdom

This page introduces the topic of the UK's political system, setting the stage for a detailed exploration of its structure and functioning.

Highlight: The title emphasizes the focus on the United Kingdom's unique political framework.

The House of Lords

This page details the composition and functions of the House of Lords, the upper chamber of the British Parliament.

Key points about the House of Lords:

• It is described as politically conservative
• Consists of different groups including Lords Spiritual, Lords Temporal, and Lords of Appeal
• Main functions include examining and discussing Bills introduced in the House of Commons
• Can delay legislation for a year but cannot completely stop Bills
• Can introduce mostly unimportant and non-controversial Bills
• The power of the Lords has decreased dramatically over time

Definition: A Bill is a proposed law that is being considered by Parliament.