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Power & Politics:Making Laws
Making Laws• One of the most important things Parliament
does is make laws.• Before one can be made, someone has to have
the idea: whatever could have led them to some of these?
Unusual Laws• in France it’s illegal to call
a pig Napoleon.
Unusual Laws• in Ohio it’s illegal to get a
fish drunk.
Unusual Laws• In Kentucky it is illegal
to carry a concealed weapon more than six feet long.
Unusual Laws• in England all men aged
over 14 must do two hours of longbow practice a day.
Unusual Laws• in Vermont a married
woman must get her husband’s written permission before she may wear false teeth.
“Darling, I found them...”
Unusual Laws• in York it’s legal to
murder a Scotsman inside the city walls, but only if he’s carrying a bow & arrows (like this one).
Unusual Laws• in London it’s illegal to
flag down a taxi if you have the plague.
Unusual Laws• in Florida unmarried
women who parachute on Sundays can be jailed.
Unusual Laws• in San Salvador drunk
drivers may be put in front of a firing-squad.
Unusual Laws• in Lancashire if a
police officer on the seashore has asked you not to incite a dog to bark, & you do, you’re breaking the law.
Unusual Laws• in Indonesia the
penalty for masturbation is decapitation.
Making Laws• so how does an idea
become law in the UK? Let’s find out.
1. Drafting the Bill• at the beginning the
new law is called a draft bill. It has to be drafted (written) very carefully in case any mistakes make it impossible to enforce later.
2. First Reading• at the First Reading
the government tells everyone in Parliament that this is what they intend to do.
3. Second Reading• this time the bill is
explained; Parliament is able to debate reasons for & against passing it, & a vote is taken on whether it should be dropped or carry on its way through the process.
4. Committee Stage• a group of MPs then
examines the bill in detail & suggests changes (which both the House of Commons & the House of Lords must agree on).
5. Report Stage• the Committee
prepares a report on the bill & explains any changes that have been made.
6. Third Reading• the bill is read for a 3rd
time in Parliament; changes may be made, & there is another vote to see if the House wants the bill to become law.
7. The other House• a bill passed by the
House of Commons must be passed by the House of Lords as well, & vice versa; changes must be agreed by both Houses too.
8. Royal Assent• the Queen must also
agree to the bill, & when she does, it becomes law.
• it may take place immediately, or be delayed to get people used to the new idea & make necessary preparations.
Current laws• a few of you please
suggest some laws we have now;
• they’ll go on the board, & we’ll see if you think them fair or unfair (& to whom).
Task• now, in 3s or 4s, get together to create six
laws of your own, three sensible & three more unusual… one group member needs to make sure everyone gets their say.
• consider why your law is needed (what problem is it trying to solve?)
• consider what problems / loopholes there could be with your law
• consider what punishment there should be for breaking your law
one group’s ideas:Sensible laws:• compulsory National Service• raise minimum wage• more time at school to
replace homework• microchip babies at birth• death for murderers/paedos
to free up prison space• study fashion at school
Not-so sensible laws:• compulsory kisses on
Valentine’s Day• legal to drive a car at
age 14• dogs give permission
to go kayaking every Tuesday & Thursday
• no parents’ evenings
another group’s ideas:Sensible laws:• don’t microwave your
hamster• obese people to be fired• no motor vehicles to be used
on a Sunday• no bestiality• anyone can run for Prime
Minister• drug addicts to be executed
Not-so sensible laws:• don’t make explosives
for your animals• all ugly people to be
shot• everything in shops is
to be free• condoms to be worn
on the head• go to the toilet on
Tuesdays only
The vote• each group may now
present one bill• the rest of us will vote
on whether or not to make it into law
We need…• three sensible laws• three silly laws
• in a PowerPoint (ideally)• illustrated (take pictures from the Web)
• save to two computers (in case someone in your group’s away next week)