Different Levels of Government P1.docx

Tomasz Andrykowski                                                                     Unit 1 Assignment 1

Different Levels of Government

Central Government:

·         Operates at national level,

·         Debates national issues:
-supplying and paying for heroin?
-raising drink age from 18-21?

·         Debates and makes law:
-lower drinking age?
-higher driving age?

·         Defends the nation:
-public services,
-ministry of defence.

·         Declares war
-for example Iraq.

House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, consisting of 646 members, who are known as “Members of Parliament” or PMs. Each Member of Parliament represents a singe constituency. There remains a technical distinction between county constituencies and borough constituencies, but the only effect of this difference is the amount of money candidates are allowed to spend during campaigns. Political Groups:

·         Labour Party

·         Conservative Party

·         Liberal Democrats

·         Democratic Unionist Party

·         Scottish National Party

·         Plaid Cymru

·         Sinn Féin

·         Social Democratic and Labour Party

·         Ulster Unionist Party

·         Respect – The Unity Coalition

·         Health Concern.

The House of Commons elects a presiding officer, known as the Speaker (John Bercow), at the beginning of each new parliamentary term. 
Conventionally, all elections in the United Kingdom are held on a Thursday.
There are numerous qualifications that apply to Members of Parliament. Most importantly, one must be aged at least 18, and must be a citizen of the United Kingdom, of a British overseas territory. House of Commons is elected (every four years) by the people.
Role of House of Commons:

·         They make laws,

·         Debate major national issues,

·         Control finance (the budget):
-taxation increases,
-council tax,
-cuts from public services,
-prices increased for fags/alcohol,
-road tax,
-ema,
-child benefit.

·         Examine the work of the house:
-transport,
-education,
-committees,
-health.

·         Delegate laws,

·         Defend the country.

The Commons meets in the Palace of Westminster in London. The Commons chamber is small and modestly decorated in green, in contrast with the large, lavishly furnished red Lords chamber.
The Parliament of the United Kingdom uses committees for a variety of purposes, e.g. for the review of bills. Committees consider bills in detail, and may make amendments.
The Lower House may indicate its lack of support for the Government by rejecting a Motion of Confidence, or by passing a Motion of No Confidence.
The House of Commons scrutinizes the Government through "Question Time"(which take place once a week), during which members have the opportunity to ask questions of the Prime Minister and of other cabinet ministers.

House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, consisting of 750 members (92 Hereditary- no voting powers). Membership of the House of Lords was once a right of birth to hereditary peers, but following a series of reforms these now only form a portion of the membership. The House of Lords assembles in the Palace of Westminster. Members of the House of Lords who sit by virtue of their ecclesiastical offices are known as Lords Spiritual. The House of Commons elects a presiding officer, known as the Speaker (Baroness Hayman), at the beginning of each new parliamentary term. 
The House of Lords is not elected. They also do not represent constituencies (areas where members of Parliament come form r.e mp for Halton Warrington).
Several different qualifications apply for membership of the House of Lords. No person may sit in the House of Lords if under the age of 21. Furthermore, only citizens of the United Kingdom, Commonwealth citizens, and citizens of Ireland may sit in the House of Lords.
The House of Lords assemble in the Palace of Westminster. The Lords Chamber is lavishly decorated, in contrast with the more modestly furnished Commons Chamber.
The Parliament of the United Kingdom uses committees for a variety of purposes; one common use is for the review of bills. Committees of both Houses consider bills in detail, and may make amendments.
Role of House of Lords:

·         Not involved in taxation and finance,

·         Revising chamber for important and controversial bills.

·         Work with the highest court (supreme court) in UK (can change  their mind on a previous contence),

·         Scrutinise (examine) work of House of Commons.

The House of Lords debates legislation, and has some power to amend or reject bills. However, the power of the Lords to reject a bill passed by the House of Commons is severely restricted by the Parliament Acts.
By contrast with the House of Commons, the House of Lords have not had an established procedure for putting sanctions on its members.
Unlike the House of Commons, the House of Lords does not control the term of the Prime Minister or of the Government. Only the Lower House may force the Prime Minister to resign or call elections by passing a motion of no-confidence or by withdrawing supply. Thus, the House of Lords' oversight of the government is limited.

 

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