UK Parliament, Oct 9

8/14/2019 UK Parliament, Oct 9

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Prof. Bruno PierriProf. Bruno PierriLingua IngleseLingua Inglese

The British ParliamentThe British Parliament

October 9th, 2009October 9th, 2009


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Historical RootsHistorical Roots XI century: KingsXI century: Kings

Council Witans:Council Witans:

barons andbarons andarchbishops to discussarchbishops to discusstaxation and judgmenttaxation and judgment

1265: first elected1265: first electedParliament.Parliament. LandLand

FranchiseFranchise XIV Century: TwoXIV Century: Two

Houses - nobility andHouses - nobility andhigher clergy (Househigher clergy (House

of Lords), knights andof Lords), knights andburgesses (freemen ofburgesses (freemen ofa borough).a borough). No law orNo law ortax without consent oftax without consent ofboth Housesboth Houses

1536: Wales first1536: Wales firstrepresented inrepresented in

CommonsCommons 1707 Act of Union:1707 Act of Union:

Unification ofUnification ofScottish and EnglishScottish and English

ParliamentsParliaments 1801 Act of Union1801 Act of Union

with Irelandwith Ireland


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BoroughsBoroughs

Settlements granted a level of self-Settlements granted a level of self-government by the monarch and thegovernment by the monarch and thefreedom (or franchise in old French)freedom (or franchise in old French)to return members of Parliamentto return members of Parliament


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FranchiseFranchise

At first all freemen, that is those who were not serfs,At first all freemen, that is those who were not serfs,had the right to votehad the right to vote

The 40 shilling franchise:The 40 shilling franchise:

- Rules were changed in 1429 when it was decreed thatRules were changed in 1429 when it was decreed thatonly freemen who owned freehold land (that is, notonly freemen who owned freehold land (that is, notleased from the land's owner) worth 40 shillings wereleased from the land's owner) worth 40 shillings wereallowed to voteallowed to vote

Franchise comes from Old FrenchFranchise comes from Old French franchisefranchise, from, fromfranchefranche, feminine of, feminine offrancfranc, meaning "free" or "exempt", meaning "free" or "exempt"

Franchising (trade affiliation):Franchising (trade affiliation):A)A)Collaboration among entrepreneurs to distributeCollaboration among entrepreneurs to distribute

goods and services. If you want to give birth togoods and services. If you want to give birth tobusiness without starting from zero, you can affiliatebusiness without starting from zero, you can affiliateyour company to an already successful brand. On oneyour company to an already successful brand. On one

hand there is a firm already well established in thehand there is a firm already well established in themarket (market (franchisorfranchisor), on the other hand there is a), on the other hand there is acompany, or person, starting activity (company, or person, starting activity (franchiseefranchisee))

B)B)The franchisor gives the franchisee the freedomThe franchisor gives the franchisee the freedom(Franchise) to trade its own goods under the formers(Franchise) to trade its own goods under the formerslabel, beside technical assistance and consultancylabel, beside technical assistance and consultancy

C)C)Usually the franchisee gives the franchisor aUsually the franchisee gives the franchisor apercentage of its budget (royalty)percentage of its budget (royalty)


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LeasingLeasing

Leasing is a process by which a firmLeasing is a process by which a firm

can obtain the use of a certain fixedcan obtain the use of a certain fixedassets for which it must payassets for which it must pay

A)A)The owner of assets (lessor) givesThe owner of assets (lessor) gives

someone else (lessee) the right tosomeone else (lessee) the right touse those goods, on return of ause those goods, on return of aseries of contractual, periodicseries of contractual, periodic

paymentspaymentsB)B)At the end of the contract theAt the end of the contract the

lessee has the faculty to purchaselessee has the faculty to purchase

the assets through hire-purchasethe assets through hire-purchase


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ImpeachmentImpeachment

Good ParliamentGood Parliament

The Parliament of 1376 was called the GoodThe Parliament of 1376 was called the GoodParliament. The Commons prosecuted some ofParliament. The Commons prosecuted some ofthe King's corrupt ministers, a process known asthe King's corrupt ministers, a process known asimpeachmentimpeachment

Wonderful ParliamentWonderful Parliament

In the Parliament of 1386 the Commons forcedIn the Parliament of 1386 the Commons forcedRichard II to dismiss his Lord ChancellorRichard II to dismiss his Lord Chancellor(Minister of Justice)(Minister of Justice)

Merciless ParliamentMerciless Parliament

Two years later the Merciless ParliamentTwo years later the Merciless Parliamentcondemned to death the former Lord Chancellorcondemned to death the former Lord Chancellorand in October 1399 Parliament deposedand in October 1399 Parliament deposedRichard II by trial and processRichard II by trial and process


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Parliament and taxationParliament and taxation

Parliament developed in the 13thParliament developed in the 13th

and 14th centuries largely throughand 14th centuries largely throughthe desire of Edward I and histhe desire of Edward I and hissuccessors to wage warsuccessors to wage war

They had to levy "extraordinary"They had to levy "extraordinary"taxes, with Parliament's assent, totaxes, with Parliament's assent, toraise the fundsraise the funds

Each time the King requested assentEach time the King requested assentto a tax from Parliament, it could askto a tax from Parliament, it could aska favour backa favour back


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Knights and Burgesses

The larger group in the Commons wereThe larger group in the Commons were

the burgesses, two from each townthe burgesses, two from each townallowed to return representativesallowed to return representatives

Burgess selection:Burgess selection:

- The King could make a town into aThe King could make a town into a

parliamentary borough and also set outparliamentary borough and also set outthe ways in which representatives werethe ways in which representatives wereelected: that is, who had the franchise.elected: that is, who had the franchise.

- The most prominent members in theThe most prominent members in the

Commons were the knights of the shire.Commons were the knights of the shire.Two knights were elected for each county.Two knights were elected for each county.

- Knights of the shire largely came from- Knights of the shire largely came fromand primarily expressed the interests ofand primarily expressed the interests of

the landed elite, known as the gentrythe landed elite, known as the gentry


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1911 Parliament Act1911 Parliament Act

Removal of right of veto for Lords toRemoval of right of veto for Lords to

any public legislation approved byany public legislation approved byCommonsCommons Lords maximum legislative delay of oneLords maximum legislative delay of one

month for money bills (taxation) andmonth for money bills (taxation) and

two years for other types of billtwo years for other types of bill Maximum duration of Parliament 5Maximum duration of Parliament 5yearsyears


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1949 Parliament Act1949 Parliament Act

Any bill passed in Commons may beAny bill passed in Commons may be

delayed only for one year by Lordsdelayed only for one year by LordsAbolition of University andAbolition of University and

Enterprise seats (one man, one vote)Enterprise seats (one man, one vote)


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Bill vs ActBill vs Act

A Bill is a proposal for a new law, orA Bill is a proposal for a new law, or

a proposal to change an existing law,a proposal to change an existing law,presented for debate beforepresented for debate beforeParliamentParliament

A Bill can start in the Commons orA Bill can start in the Commons orthe Lords and must be approved inthe Lords and must be approved inthe same form by both Housesthe same form by both Houses

Once approved, the Bill becomes anOnce approved, the Bill becomes anAct of Parliament (Law)Act of Parliament (Law)


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Royal AssentRoyal Assent

Royal Assent is the Monarch's agreementRoyal Assent is the Monarch's agreement

to make a Bill into an Act of Parliamentto make a Bill into an Act of Parliament The Monarch actually has the right toThe Monarch actually has the right to

refuse Royal Assent but nowadays thisrefuse Royal Assent but nowadays this

does not happendoes not happen Royal Assent formula is in Norman FrenchRoyal Assent formula is in Norman French

((La Reyne le veultLa Reyne le veult))


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Role of ParliamentRole of ParliamentChecking the Work of GovtChecking the Work of Govt

Question Time: oral questions toQuestion Time: oral questions toMinistersMinisters

Committes: membership reflectsCommittes: membership reflects

party strength in Houseparty strength in HouseDebates in Commons: focused onDebates in Commons: focused on

any national and international issue.any national and international issue.Votes to see whether majority backsVotes to see whether majority backsGovtGovt

Debates in Lords: general debates.Debates in Lords: general debates.No votesNo votes


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Two-House SystemTwo-House System

House of CommonsHouse of Commons(Lower House publicly(Lower House publiclyelected. 646 seats eachelected. 646 seats eachrepresenting arepresenting acostituency (650 at nextcostituency (650 at nextgeneral election)general election)

Main Functions:Main Functions:

- Law-makingLaw-making

- Raising and spendingRaising and spendingpublic money (Govtpublic money (Govttakes key decisions, buttakes key decisions, butCommons permissionCommons permissionneeded)needed)

- Scrutiny: OppositionScrutiny: Oppositionchallenges Govt and ischallenges Govt and isalso shadow Govtalso shadow Govt

House of Lords (UpperHouse of Lords (UpperHouse) mostly appointed byHouse) mostly appointed by

Monarch, some electedMonarch, some electedinternally and someinternally and somebishops and archbishops ofbishops and archbishops ofChurch of England. SinceChurch of England. Since

July 2008 746 membersJuly 2008 746 members

Lords Spiritual/LordsLords Spiritual/LordsTemporalTemporal

Highest Court: SupremeHighest Court: SupremeCourt of Appeal. Group ofCourt of Appeal. Group ofsalaried judges (Law Lords)salaried judges (Law Lords)carries out this jobcarries out this job

Main Functions:Main Functions:- Consideration and revisionConsideration and revision

of Bills from Commonsof Bills from Commons

- Initiation of non-Initiation of non-controversial legislationcontroversial legislation

-General debatesGeneral debates


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Position of MPs/PeersPosition of MPs/Peers House of Commons:House of Commons:

rectangular shape, Govtrectangular shape, Govt

and Opposition faceand Opposition faceeach other. Govt on righteach other. Govt on rightof Speaker,Officialof Speaker,OfficialOpposition and otherOpposition and otherparties to the leftparties to the left

Govt and Shadow GovtGovt and Shadow Govtmembers on frontmembers on frontbenches (front-benches (front-benchers). Junior MPs onbenchers). Junior MPs onback benches (back-back benches (back-

benchers)benchers) Crossing the floor: MPsCrossing the floor: MPs

can change party at anycan change party at anytime. In this case theytime. In this case theycross the floor to thecross the floor to the

other sideother side

House of Lords: GovtHouse of Lords: Govt

and Opposition faceand Opposition faceeach other. Govt andeach other. Govt andBishops on right ofBishops on right ofLord Speaker.Lord Speaker.Opposition parties onOpposition parties on

leftleft Independent PeersIndependent Peers

(Crossbench Peers) on(Crossbench Peers) onbenches crossingbenches crossingChamberChamber


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DebatesDebatesFormal discussion on Bill or issueFormal discussion on Bill or issue

of topic importance (90 minutes)of topic importance (90 minutes)MP introduces subject - moving aMP introduces subject - moving a

motionmotion

Speaker in Commons or LordSpeaker in Commons or LordSpeaker repeats terms of motionSpeaker repeats terms of motion

Motion debatedMotion debated

Decision taken, if necessary byDecision taken, if necessary byvoting (division)voting (division)


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Debates in CommonsDebates in Commons

Catching the Speakers eye: MPsCatching the Speakers eye: MPs

must get Speakers attention andmust get Speakers attention andusually stand, or half riseusually stand, or half rise

MPs speak only once, but mayMPs speak only once, but may

intervene with brief comments onintervene with brief comments onother members speechother members speech

MPs who introduce subject haveMPs who introduce subject have

right to reply (tabling a motion)right to reply (tabling a motion)


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Debates in LordsDebates in Lords

Peers speak only once, except whenPeers speak only once, except when

clarification requestedclarification requestedWhen Lords communicates withWhen Lords communicates with

Commons on a Bill, ritual formula isCommons on a Bill, ritual formula is

in Norman French (soit baill auxin Norman French (soit baill auxcommunes)communes)

h k f h fTh S k f h H f C


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The Speaker of the House of CommonsThe Speaker of the House of Commons

MP elected by other MPs: Politically impartial atMP elected by other MPs: Politically impartial atall timesall times

Speaker does not take part in debate or votes,Speaker does not take part in debate or votes,except to break ties (casting vote)except to break ties (casting vote)

Casting vote: Speaker may vote as he or sheCasting vote: Speaker may vote as he or shepleases, but in practice:pleases, but in practice:

-

Speaker votes to give the House furtherSpeaker votes to give the House furtheropportunity to debate a bill: in other words, theopportunity to debate a bill: in other words, theSpeaker would vote against amendmentSpeaker would vote against amendment

Speaker must resign from party and remainSpeaker must resign from party and remainseparate from political issues even afterseparate from political issues even after

retirement, but will deal with constituencysretirement, but will deal with constituencysproblems like normal MPproblems like normal MP

Speakers stand in general elections, unopposedSpeakers stand in general elections, unopposedby major parties. They do not campaign onby major parties. They do not campaign onpolitical issues, but only stand as Speakerpolitical issues, but only stand as Speakerseeking re-electionseeking re-election

h hi


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The WhipThe Whip MP or Peer appointed by each party to makeMP or Peer appointed by each party to make

sure maximum number of Members votessure maximum number of Members votes

according to party wantsaccording to party wants 18th century fox hunting terminology referring18th century fox hunting terminology referringto person who drives dogs back to main packto person who drives dogs back to main packusing a whipusing a whip

Whips send out circular (called 'The Whip')Whips send out circular (called 'The Whip')

detailing upcoming parliamentary business.detailing upcoming parliamentary business.Special attention to divisions. ImportantSpecial attention to divisions. Importantdivisions underlined three timesdivisions underlined three times

Defying three-line whip has occasionallyDefying three-line whip has occasionallyresulted in expulsion from partyresulted in expulsion from party

Whip could resort to mixture of threats,Whip could resort to mixture of threats,blackmail and extortion to force unpopular voteblackmail and extortion to force unpopular vote For a minister, consequences for defying partyFor a minister, consequences for defying party

whip are absolute: they are dismissedwhip are absolute: they are dismissedimmediatelyimmediately

Contacting your MPContact ng your MP


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Contacting your MPContact ng your MP

Everyone has the right to contact their local MP toEveryone has the right to contact their local MP todiscuss issues affecting them.discuss issues affecting them.MPs will generally only actMPs will generally only acton behalf of their constituentson behalf of their constituents

A) TelephoneA) Telephone You will talk to a relevant office or have to leave aYou will talk to a relevant office or have to leave a

message. Phone the House of Commons switchboard andmessage. Phone the House of Commons switchboard andask for your MP by name. If you do not know their nameask for your MP by name. If you do not know their namethen phone the House of Commons Information Officethen phone the House of Commons Information Office

B) By letterB) By letter When writing to any MP the address to use is: House ofWhen writing to any MP the address to use is: House of

Commons London SW1A 0AA.Commons London SW1A 0AA.C) EmailC) Email The majority of MPs now have email addresses that youThe majority of MPs now have email addresses that you

can write tocan write to

D) FaxD) Fax Call the MP's office first if you need to send a fax.Call the MP's office first if you need to send a fax. Need a government minister?Need a government minister? If you wish to contact a government minister inIf you wish to contact a government minister in

connection to their ministerial responsibilities please useconnection to their ministerial responsibilities please use

the contact facilities on their departmental websitethe contact facilities on their departmental website

T i l I


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Topical IssuesTopical IssuesEconomy and finance current issuesEconomy and finance current issues

02.10.200902.10.2009

UKUKOverseasOverseasTradeTrade((CurrentCurrentAccount):Account):EconomicEconomicIndicatorsIndicatorspagepage

09.09.200909.09.2009

UKUKOverseasOverseasTradeTradeininGoodsGoods::EconomicEconomicIndicatorsIndicatorspagepage

08.09.200908.09.2009

G20G20 Leaders'Leaders'summitssummits:: LondonLondontotoPittsburgh (24-25Pittsburgh (24-25 SepSep

13.08.200913.08.2009

GlobalGlobalEconomicEconomicCrisisCrisis&&developingdevelopingcountriescountries
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UK Parliament, Oct 9