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Parliament isn't just some big old building by the Thames
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Parliament makes laws, debates issues of the day, represents the views of people across
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the UK and checks and challenges the work of the Government
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Wait a minute, Parliament isn't the same as the Government?
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It's the Government that takes a leading role in running of the country, but there is also
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a bigger picture...
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So, there's The House of Commons -- that's where the Government sits, along with the
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opposition (who sits opposite them... of course). This is the elected Chamber and it's made
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up of MPs who represent all 650 UK constituencies
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Then there's the House of Lords, made up mostly of Life peers, who are appointed for their
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knowledge and experience. There is no political party with overall control in the Lords and
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many of its members - the crossbenchers and the bishops - are non-party political.
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Finally there's the Monarch, her role is mainly ceremonial these days -- but she does still
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sign every new law
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So what does Parliament do all day?
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Inside the debating chambers the big issues are discussed, new laws agreed and the Prime
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Minister is questioned...
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...While a host of committees, made up of small groups of Parliamentarians, scrutinize
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the work of Government Departments, check the details of new laws and ask experts and
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the public (that's you) for ideas and evidence to shape their enquiries.
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Representing the people, passing laws, debating issues and checking and challenging the work
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of the Government -- it's all in a day's work for Parliament.
