TOPIC 5: PARLIAMENT

PARLIAMENT
_ The Palace of Westminster, known as “the Houses of Parliament” _ building
where the British Parliament works & two large buildings: one for the Houses of
Lords, the other for the House of Commons (its members = MPs) _ more
important of the two houses.
A. THE ATMOSPHERE OF PARLIAMENT
_ Seating arrangements of the meeting room of the House of Commons:
+ two rows of benches facing each other (p. 90): left _ government benches =
MPs of the governing party sits // right _ opposition benches (MPs are for or
against the government according to where they sit). (red lines _ b.1 / p.11)
+ the Speaker’s chair: at the table b/w two rows of benches _ commanding
position.
+ the Speaker: chairs and controls discussion in the House, decides which MP
is going to speak next & makes sure that the rules of procedure are followed
& officially & the second most important “commoner” (non-aristocrat) in the
kingdom after the PM.
_ The Commons has no “front”: MPs stand up & speak from wherever they
happen to be sitting.
_ No desks for MPs.
_ The House is very small & not enough room for all MPs _ more than 650 MPs,
but less than 400 seats & no names are marked on the benches.
_ These features  fairly infml. Atmosphere & MPs are encouraged to co-operate.
_ The design of the House _ deliberate  a belief in the two-way “for and against”
tradition.
_ MPs _ not address one another directly or use personal names.

B. AN MP’S LIFE
_ MPs: not specialist politicians & ordinary people from all walks of life,
bringing their experience of the every world into Parliament & doing public
service, not making a career for themselves & having poor facilities (sharing
office and a secretary with two or more other MPs).
_ The House does not sit in the morning _ MPs would be doing their ordinary
work & pursuing other interests outside Parliament.
_ From Monday to Thursday _ the House starts its business at 14:30 (on Friday,
it starts in the morning, but finishes in early afternoon for the weekend).
_ Long holidays: 4 weeks at Christmas, two each at Easter and Whitsun, eleven
weeks in summer (from beginning of August until the middle of October).
_ In fact, MPs spend much time at work & the Commons never “rises” (finishes)
bf 22:30, sometimes for several hours longer & occ. Even through the night &
mornings: committee work, research, preparing speeches and dealing with the
problems of constituents (peo. they represent) & weekends: visit their
constituencies (areas they represent), listen to their problems.

C. PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS
_ The basic procedure for business in the Commons _ a debate on a particular
proposal, followed by a resolution either accepting or rejecting this proposal.
_ There are committees _ appointed to examine particular proposals for laws &
permanent committees (40 members) whose job is to investigate the activities of
gov. in a particular field _ more important part of the business of the Commons.

D. THE PARTY SYSTEM IN PARLIAMENT

_ MPs always vote the way that their party tells them to.
_ The Whips _ those who informed all MPs in their party how they should vote.
_ If the government loses a vote in Parliament on a very important matter, it has
to resign.
_ The Whips: intermediaries b/w the backbenchers and frontbenchers of a party
(Note_p.94) & keep party leadership informed about backbench opinion & have
effect on which backbenchers get promoted to front bench.
_ Parties allow a “free vote” _ quite important decisions, eg. Abolition of death
penalty. (Note_p.95)

** THE HOUSE OF COMMONS (summary)

650 members _ each representing one of the geographiccal areas
(constituencies) divided for electoral purposes (523 for England, 38 for
Wales, 72 for Scotland, 17 for Northern Ireland).
If an MP dies, resigns, or được bầu làm đồng câp is made a peer, a by-election
(special election held to fill an unexpected vacancy) is held in that
constituency khu vực to elect a new MP.
Leaders of the Government and Opposition sit on the front benches of the
Commons (frontbenchers), with their supporters (backbenchers = younger and
less experienced MPs) behind them. Hạ viện do chủ tịch hạ viên chủ trì The
House is presided over by the Speaker.
Main function _ to legislate. ( 7 steps )

E. THE HOUSE OF LORDS

_ Members of the House of Lords _ peers _ are not elected  members as of
right _ 2/3  holder of an inherited tile (one of five ranks: Duke, Marquess, Earl,
Viscount and Baron) & no fixed numbers ( current sitting member 755 ).
_ The House of Lords has little power & limited power to refuse a proposal for a
law.
_ All proposals must have agreement of the Lords before they can become law.
Within six months, the proposal becomes law anyway, whether or not the Lords
agree.
The House of Lords _ presided over by the Lord of Chancellor _ made up of the
Lords Spiritual = the representatives of the Church of England (the
Archbishop of York and Canterbury and 25 bishops & and the Lords
Temporal = all hereditary and life peers (do not pass on their title when they
die).
The House of Lords _ revise Bills sent to it by the House of Commons (give
detailed consideration to bills) & can delay a Bill from becoming law for a
maximum of 12 months.
(Notes: Background to B. / p.105)

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