What is the House of Commons?

UK Parliament

4 Sept 201403:32

Summary

TLDRThe video script delves into the historical evolution of the UK's House of Commons, from its origins in 1215 with the Magna Carta to its current role in modern democracy. It explains how the Commons, elected by the public every five years, works alongside the House of Lords and the Monarchy to debate issues, make laws, and hold the government accountable. The script highlights the MPs' responsibilities, the dynamic between the Government and Opposition, and the various mechanisms for scrutinizing and shaping policies, emphasizing that the Commons is more than just the bickering seen on TV.

Takeaways

🏛️ The House of Commons and the House of Lords evolved from the historical relationship between the King and his Barons, leading to the establishment of a more structured advisory council.
📜 The Magna Carta in 1215 was a pivotal moment that forced King John to obey the law and set up an advisory council, marking a step towards parliamentary democracy.
🛑 Simon de Montfort's rebellion in 1265 was significant as it led to the first inclusion of town representatives and knights in the parliament, laying the groundwork for the House of Commons.
🗣️ The House of Commons, established in 1332, represents the citizens and has become a powerful check on the monarchy and nobility over time.
🔥 A fire in 1512 led to the rebuilding of Westminster Palace, which became the permanent home of the Parliament, housing both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
👥 The House of Commons is composed of elected members who represent the public and have the power to make and review laws, holding the government accountable.
🚫 The Monarch is not allowed in the House of Commons chamber following an incident with Charles the First, emphasizing the separation of powers.
💺 The chamber of the House of Commons has limited seating, requiring MPs to be packed closely together during debates, symbolizing the intensity of parliamentary discourse.
👩‍💼 The Prime Minister, leading the Government, and the Opposition play key roles in the House, with the former introducing laws and the latter scrutinizing them.
⏰ MPs balance their time between parliamentary duties and constituency work, often facing the challenge of aligning party interests with local needs.
🔍 The House of Commons holds the Government accountable through Prime Minister's Questions, Select Committees, and by reviewing proposed bills, ensuring transparency and public representation.

Q & A

What was the historical context that led to the creation of the House of Commons?
-The House of Commons evolved from the Magna Carta in 1215, which forced King John to obey the law and establish an advisory council. Later, Simon de Montfort's rebellion against Henry III in 1265 led to the first parliament that included representatives from towns and shires, separate from the nobility, eventually forming the House of Commons in 1332.
How did the balance of power shift between the monarchy and the House of Commons over time?
-As the rights of the people increased, the monarchy and nobility became less powerful, and the balance of power eventually swung to the House of Commons, which represents the people.
Why did Henry VIII move out of Westminster Palace, and what is its significance today?
-Henry VIII moved out of Westminster Palace after a huge fire consumed it in 1512. Once rebuilt, it became the home of Parliament, where it still operates today.
What are the three parts of the Parliament, as mentioned in the script?
-The three parts of the Parliament are the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and the Monarchy.
What are the qualifications to run as a candidate for the House of Commons?
-To run as a candidate for the House of Commons, one must be at least 18 years old, not in prison, not a Lord, and not the Monarch.
Why are members of the House of Commons referred to as 'MPs'?
-Members of the House of Commons are referred to as 'MPs', which stands for 'Members of Parliament', as they are elected to represent the people in the legislative process.
What is the role of the Speaker in the House of Commons?
-The Speaker of the House of Commons sits at the head of the room and is responsible for maintaining order during debates and proceedings.
How does the House of Commons hold the Government accountable?
-The House of Commons holds the Government accountable through debates, questioning of the Prime Minister and Ministers, scrutiny by Select Committees, and by reviewing and voting on proposed bills, including those that raise taxes.
What is the purpose of the Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons?
-The purpose of the Prime Minister's Questions is for MPs to question the Prime Minister directly, allowing for accountability and transparency in Government actions and policies.
How do MPs balance their time between the House of Commons and their constituencies?
-MPs split their time between the House of Commons, where they participate in debates and legislation, and their constituencies, where they represent the interests of their local voters and address their concerns.
What is the significance of the House of Commons in the legislative process?
-The House of Commons plays a significant role in the legislative process by debating important issues, making and reviewing laws, representing the public, and holding the Government to account.

Outlines

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🏛️ History and Function of the House of Commons

The script begins by questioning the effectiveness of the House of Commons amidst political disputes, suggesting there is more to it than meets the eye. It delves into the historical origins of the House, starting with King John and the Magna Carta in 1215, which led to the establishment of an advisory council. The narrative continues with Simon de Montfort's rebellion and the first parliament in 1265, which included town representatives and knights, eventually leading to the formation of the House of Commons in 1332. The script explains the evolution of the House's role, the balance of power, and its current structure, including the election process for members and the exclusion of the Monarch since Charles the First. The House's functions are outlined, including debating issues, law-making, representing the public, and holding the Government accountable. The script also describes the physical setting of the House, the roles of the Speaker, the Prime Minister, and the Opposition, and the dynamics of MPs' work between the House and their constituencies.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡House of Commons

The House of Commons is one of the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, the other being the House of Lords. It is composed of Members of Parliament (MPs) who are elected by the public. In the video, the House of Commons is described as a place where elected representatives debate important issues, make and review laws, and represent the public, holding the government accountable. It is central to the video's theme of explaining the functioning of the UK's parliamentary system.

💡Magna Carta

The Magna Carta is a charter of rights agreed to by King John of England at Runnymede, near Windsor, on 15 June 1215. It was the first document to put into writing the principle that everybody, including the king, was subject to the law. In the video, the Magna Carta is mentioned as a pivotal moment in history that forced the king to obey the law and set up an advisory council, laying the groundwork for the development of the House of Commons.

💡Parliament

Parliament is the legislative body of the United Kingdom, consisting of the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and the Monarchy. It is responsible for making laws, representing the public, and overseeing the government. The video explains that Parliament is housed in Westminster Palace and is composed of three parts, with the House of Commons being one of them, highlighting its role in the UK's democratic process.

💡Election

An election is a formal process by which people choose their representatives in a government. In the context of the video, it is mentioned that every five years, the public elects representatives to the House of Commons to run the country on their behalf. This process is crucial for the functioning of the House of Commons and the democratic system it represents.

💡Opposition

The Opposition in the UK Parliament refers to the largest party or coalition of parties that is not in government. Its role is to scrutinize and challenge the government's policies and actions. The video describes the Opposition's function as keeping an eye on the government, questioning its decisions, and providing an alternative viewpoint, which is essential for maintaining a balanced and accountable government.

💡Prime Minister

The Prime Minister is the head of the UK government and is typically the leader of the political party or coalition that can command the confidence of the House of Commons. The video explains that the Prime Minister leads the Government, appoints ministers, and is responsible for introducing most of the ideas for new laws. The Prime Minister's role is central to the functioning of the House of Commons and the government as a whole.

💡Constituency

A constituency is an area represented by a Member of Parliament in the House of Commons. MPs are elected to represent their constituencies, making decisions that balance the needs of their local area with the broader interests of the country. The video mentions that MPs split their time between the House of Commons and their constituencies, emphasizing the importance of local representation in the UK's political system.

💡Speaker

The Speaker of the House of Commons is an officer of the House, elected from its members, who presides over its meetings, ensuring that its rules and procedures are followed. In the video, the Speaker is described as sitting at the head of the chamber to maintain order during debates, highlighting their role in facilitating the smooth running of parliamentary proceedings.

💡Select Committees

Select Committees in the UK Parliament are groups of MPs that specialize in examining specific areas of public policy or the workings of the government. The video explains that Select Committees are where MPs review policies and spending of the government, providing scrutiny and helping to shape policies by speaking to experts and the public. This process is crucial for ensuring that laws and policies are well-informed and effective.

💡Accountability

Accountability in the context of the video refers to the responsibility of the government to be answerable to the House of Commons for its actions and decisions. The video describes various ways in which the government is held accountable, such as through Prime Minister's Questions, where the Prime Minister and other ministers answer questions from MPs, and through the work of Select Committees, which review and scrutinize government policies and spending.

💡Westminster Palace

Westminster Palace, also known as the Palace of Westminster, is the meeting place of the UK Parliament. The video mentions that after a fire in 1512, Henry the Eighth moved out, and once the palace was rebuilt, it became the home of Parliament. Westminster Palace is an iconic symbol of British democracy and the center of the UK's legislative process.

Highlights

The House of Commons is more than just bickering on TV; it plays a crucial role in running the country.

The origins of the House of Commons trace back to the King and his Barons, who later compelled King John to sign the Magna Carta in 1215.

Simon de Montfort's rebellion in 1265 led to the first inclusion of town representatives in a parliamentary setting.

The House of Commons was formally established in 1332, separate from the nobility.

The balance of power shifted from the monarchy and nobility to the House of Commons as the rights of the people increased.

Westminster Palace, destroyed by fire in 1512, was rebuilt to become the home of Parliament.

The modern Parliament consists of the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and the Monarchy.

Members of the House of Commons are elected by the public every five years to represent them in running the country.

Election as a candidate requires being at least 18, not imprisoned, not a Lord, and not the Monarch.

Since Charles the First, no Monarch has been allowed in the House of Commons chamber.

The House of Commons debates important issues, makes and reviews laws, represents the public, and holds the Government accountable.

The chamber has two sides: the Government and the Opposition, with the Commons Speaker maintaining order.

The Prime Minister leads the Government and appoints ministers to form a cabinet, which sits on the front bench.

MPs divide their time between the House of Commons and their constituencies, balancing party and local interests.

The Government is held accountable through weekly Prime Minister's Questions and questioning of Ministers by MPs.

Select Committees review government policies and spending, involving experts and the public for scrutiny.

The House of Commons must agree to any tax increases proposed by the Government and reviews bills before voting.

Beyond what's shown on TV, the House of Commons is involved in significant legislative and representative work.