Parliament

Parliament is the supreme legislative body of the British state and can in theory pass laws relating to any aspect of the political, economic, legal, social, and cultural life of the United Kingdom.

The British Parliament is one of the oldest Parliaments in the world. It has existed since 1265. It consists of two chambers known as the House of Commons and the House of Lords, and the Queen as its head. Parliament and the monarch have different roles in the government of the country, and they only meet together on symbolic occasions such as coronation of a new monarch or the opening of Parliament.

In reality, the House of Commons is the only one of the three which is true power. It is here that new bills are introduced and debated, and if a Bill is passed, it is sent to the House of Lords to be approved, and finally to the monarch to be signed. Only then it becomes an Act of Parliament, a law.

The duration of Parliament is five years. The life of Parliament is divided into sessions. A new session of Parliament opens every year.

The main functions of Parliament are: 1) to make laws regulating the life of the community; 2) to provide money for government, through taxation; 3) to examine government policy, administration and spending; 4) to debate political questions.

Ex. 2 Say whether the following statements are true or false.

1. The real power belongs to the Queen, that’s why the UK is a monarchy.

2. Members of the Government are appointed by the Prime Minister.

3. In the British formulation, the sovereign reigns but doesn't rule.

4. The British Parliament has existed since 1665.

5. Parliament and the Monarch play different roles in the government.

6. New bills are introduced and then signed by the Monarch.

7. The only function of Parliament is to make laws.

Ex. 3 Look through the sentences of the exercise and find the information which was not mentioned in the text.

1. A parliamentary monarchy means that the country has a monarch as its Head of State.

2. A member of Parliament who has sat in the House of Commons for the longest period is called “the Father of the Commons".

3. The duration of the British Parliament is five years.

4. A romantic and rather mysterious person “Black Rod” brings together the Queen, her Prime Minister and ministers, members of the Lords and finally members of the Commons to the ceremony of the Opening of Parliament to listen to the Monarch’s Speech from the Throne.

5. The chairman of the House of Lords is the Lord Speaker.

6. The House of Commons is presided over by the Speaker.

7. The Queen and the Royal family exert great influence on the life of the country.

8. The Lord Speaker sits on a special seat called “the Woolsack”, the symbol of welfare of the country.

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