February 2011 An Introduction to the new Parliament 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 Took place on May 6 2010 What was decided? 650 seats in House of Commons UK Government What about the House of Lords? Conservative - 307 Labour - 258 Lib Dem - 57 DUP - 8 SNP - 6 Sinn Fein - 5 Plaid Cymru - 3 SDLP - 3 Green - 1 Alliance - 1 Independent - 1 Speaker - 1 If a single party had won over 50% of seats: -automatically form Government However, no party received over 50% of seats: ◦ Largest party could have formed minority Government ◦ Two parties formed coalition Government ◦ There could have been a re-election Coalition formed between Conservatives and Liberal Democrats Cabinet formed Shadow Cabinet announced New Parliament convenes / MPs sworn in Membership of Committees announced House of Commons The Monarch House of Lords Makes and passes laws (Legislation) Holds Government to account Enables the Government to set taxes Parliament debates and discusses a huge range of subjects that affect us all Health and housing, schools and pensions, jobs and training, the way in which we choose our politicians, the way our streets are policed, laws on immigration, roads and railways, how our energy is provided – all are topics debated in Parliament Your representative in Parliament can raise issues important to you Is the democratically elected chamber of Parliament. There are 650 MPs. MPs are usually elected every 4 to 5 years. Making and passing laws Holding the Government to account Raising key issues Representing constituents Approving the Budget, public expenditure and allowing government to set taxation. The Prime Minister The Cabinet The party, or parties, that can command a majority of seats in the House of Commons forms the Government The Government runs public departments i.e. The Home Office, Benefits Agency The Government proposes new laws to Parliament The Government is accountable to Parliament Government (Whitehall) Commons, Lords, Monarch • • • • • • Holds Government to account Passes laws Enables taxation Represents public Raises key issues • Approximately 110 members • MPs and Lords (Usually) • Chosen by Prime Minister • Runs public services • Accountable to Parliament In the Constituency Helps constituents with problems Visits groups and individuals to hear issues/ concerns Represents constituents to various bodies Campaigns In Parliament Represents their constituency Raises issues on behalf of constituents Passes new laws Scrutinises the work of Government 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 All UK laws decided by Parliament Government and individual members can propose laws However, majority of laws passed come from Government e.g. Welfare Reform Act Commons Public Bill Committee Bill presented / First Reading Second Reading Third Reading Committee of the Whole House Lords Bill presented / First Reading Report Second Reading Committee (whole House) Report Third Reading After Consideration of Lords Amendments Ping Pong Royal Assent Regulations The House of Lords is the second chamber of Parliament, often known as the revising House. There are more than 700 Members (777 in November 2010) Most are Life Peers, but there are also: ◦ 92 Hereditary Peers ◦ 26 Bishops All Members of the House of Lords represent you They play an important role in the passing of laws They hold Ministers to account through questions and debates They debate key issues A politically neutral role Signs off laws passed by Parliament (Royal Assent). Opens and closes Parliament each year You can get involved through lots of different ways including: Contacting your MP Contacting a Member of the HoL Sending a petition Working with a Select Committee You can contact your local MP about any issue that affects you in your constituency. You can request that your MP asks a question, presents a petition or raises a debate on your behalf. You can find out who your MP is on the Parliament website You can contact any Member about issues that you would like Parliament to look at. You can request that a Member asks a question or raises a debate on your behalf. It is useful to contact a Member who has a particular interest in your issue. You can find out what individual Members are interested in by looking on the Parliament website. Local MP in first instance Identify & contact Parliamentarians with an interest Be clear on aims Remember party & Government positions Be positive and proactive Questions www.parliament.uk 020 7219 4272 – Commons information 020 7219 3107 – Lords information