British House of Commons - Latest election

United Kingdom This article is part of the series: Politics of the United Kingdom Parliament The Crown: Queen Elizabeth II House of Lords Lord Chancellor: Lord Falconer House of Commons Speaker: Michael Martin Prime Minister: Tony Blair Cabinet Government departments Scottish Parliament Scottish ExecutiveIncluding:

• British House of Commons - History
• British House of Commons - The Reform Acts and Parliament Acts
• British House of Commons - Members and elections
• British House of Commons - Qualifications
• British House of Commons - Officers
• British House of Commons - Procedure
• British House of Commons - Committees
• British House of Commons - Legislative functions
• British House of Commons - Relationship with the Government
• British House of Commons - Latest election
• British House of Commons - Current composition
• British House of Commons - The chamber in film and television

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Parliament developed from the council that advised the King during mediæval times. This royal council, meeting for short-term periods, included ecclesiastics, noblemen, as well as representatives of the counties (known as "knights of the shire"). The chief duty of the council was to approve taxes proposed by the Crown. In many cases, however, the council demanded the redress of the people's grievances before proceeding to vote ...

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British House of Commons, British House of Commons - History, British House of Commons - The Reform Acts and Parliament Acts, British House of Commons - Members and elections, British House of Commons - Qualifications, British House of Commons - Officers, British House of Commons - Procedure, British House of Commons - Committees, British House of Commons - Legislative functions, British House of Commons - Relationship with the Government, British House of Commons - Latest election, British House of Commons - Current composition, British House of Commons - The chamber in film and television

Read more here: » British House of Commons: Encyclopedia II - British House of Commons - History

Though it does not elect the Prime Minister, the House of Commons indirectly controls the premiership. By convention, the Prime Minister is answerable to, and must maintain the support of, the House of Commons. Thus, whenever the office of Prime Minister falls vacant, the Sovereign appoints the person most likely to command the support of the House—normally, the leader of the largest party in the Lower House. (The leader of the second-largest party becomes the Leader of the Opposition.) In modern times, and practically by convention, the Prime Ministe ...

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In 1986, the British television production company Granada Television created a full-sized replica of the House of Commons debating chamber at its studios in Manchester, for use in its adaptation of the Jeffrey Archer novel First Among Equals. The set was highly convincing, and was retained after the production – since then, it has been used in nearly every British film and television production which has featured scenes set in the chamber. From 1988 until 1999 it was also one of the prominent attractions on the Granada Studios Tour, ...

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British House of Commons, British House of Commons - History, British House of Commons - The Reform Acts and Parliament Acts, British House of Commons - Members and elections, British House of Commons - Qualifications, British House of Commons - Officers, British House of Commons - Procedure, British House of Commons - Committees, British House of Commons - Legislative functions, British House of Commons - Relationship with the Government, British House of Commons - Latest election, British House of Commons - Current composition, British House of Commons - The chamber in film and television

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Although legislation may be introduced in either House, bills normally originate in the House of Commons. The supremacy of the Commons in legislative matters is assured by the Parliament Acts, under which certain types of bills may be presented for the Royal Assent without the consent of the House of Lords. The Lords may not delay a money bill (a bill that, in the view of the Speaker of the House of Commons, solely concerns national taxation or public funds) for more than one month. Moreover, the Lords may not delay most other public ...

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Read more here: » British House of Commons: Encyclopedia II - British House of Commons - Legislative functions

Although legislation may be introduced in either House, bills normally originate in the House of Commons. Further information: Act of Parliament, and [[]], and [[]], and [[]]See also:

British House of Commons, British House of Commons - History, British House of Commons - The Reform Acts and Parliament Acts, British House of Commons - Members and elections, British House of Commons - Qualifications, British House of Commons - Officers, British House of Commons - Procedure, British House of Commons - Committees, British House of Commons - Legislative functions, British House of Commons - Relationship with the Government, British House of Commons - Latest election, British House of Commons - Current composition, British House of Commons - The chamber in film and television

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The Parliament of the United Kingdom uses committees for a variety of purposes; one common use is for the review of bills. Committees consider bills in detail, and may make amendments. Bills of great constitutional importance, as well as some important financial measures, are usually sent to the Committee of the Whole House, a body that, as its name suggests, includes all members of the House of Commons. Instead of the Speaker, the Chairman or a Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means preside ...

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Each Member of Parliament represents a single constituency. Prior to the reforms of the nineteenth century, the constituencies had little basis in population: the counties and the boroughs (whose boundaries were fixed) were, for the most part, equally represented in the Lower House by two Members each. Reforms enacted during the nineteenth century, starting with the Reform Act 1832, led to a more equitable distribution of seats. Moreover, the reforms of 1885 abolished most two-member constituencies; the few that remained were all abolished i ...

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There are numerous qualifications that apply to Members of Parliament. Most importantly, one must be aged at least twenty-one years (although this is due to change to eighteen), and must be a citizen of the United Kingdom, of a British overseas territory, of the Republic of Ireland, or of a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, in order to be eligible. These restrictions were introduced by the British Nationality Act 1981, but were previously far more stringent: under the Act of Settlement 1701, only natural-born subjects were qualified. Members o ...

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Read more here: » British House of Commons: Encyclopedia II - British House of Commons - Qualifications

The House of Commons elects a presiding officer, known as the Speaker, at the beginning of each new parliamentary term, and also whenever a vacancy arises. If the incumbent Speaker seeks a new term, the House may re-elect him or her merely by passing a motion; otherwise, a secret ballot is held. A Speaker-elect cannot take office until he or she has been approved by the Sovereign; the granting of the royal approbation, however, is a mere formality. The Speaker is assisted by three Deputy Speakers, the most senior of which holds the title of ...

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British House of Commons, British House of Commons - History, British House of Commons - The Reform Acts and Parliament Acts, British House of Commons - Members and elections, British House of Commons - Qualifications, British House of Commons - Officers, British House of Commons - Procedure, British House of Commons - Committees, British House of Commons - Legislative functions, British House of Commons - Relationship with the Government, British House of Commons - Latest election, British House of Commons - Current composition, British House of Commons - The chamber in film and television

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Like the House of Lords, the House of 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. There are benches on two sides of the Chamber, divided by a centre aisle. This arrangement reflects the design of St Stephen's Chapel, which served as the home of the House of Commons until destroyed by fire in 1834. The Speaker's chair is at one end of the Chamber; in front of it is the Table of the House, on which the Mace ...

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British House of Commons, British House of Commons - History, British House of Commons - The Reform Acts and Parliament Acts, British House of Commons - Members and elections, British House of Commons - Qualifications, British House of Commons - Officers, British House of Commons - Procedure, British House of Commons - Committees, British House of Commons - Legislative functions, British House of Commons - Relationship with the Government, British House of Commons - Latest election, British House of Commons - Current composition, British House of Commons - The chamber in film and television

Read more here: » British House of Commons: Encyclopedia II - British House of Commons - Procedure