Prof. Bruno PierriProf. Bruno PierriLingua IngleseLingua Inglese

The British ParliamentThe British Parliament

October 9th, 2009October 9th, 2009

Historical RootsHistorical Roots • XI century: King’s XI century: King’s

Council “Witans”: Council “Witans”: barons and barons and archbishops to archbishops to discuss taxation and discuss taxation and judgment judgment

• 1265: first elected 1265: first elected Parliament. Parliament. Land Land Franchise Franchise

• XIV Century: Two XIV Century: Two Houses - nobility and Houses - nobility and higher clergy (House higher clergy (House of Lords), knights and of Lords), knights and burgesses (freemen burgesses (freemen of a borough). of a borough). No law No law or tax without or tax without consent of both consent of both HousesHouses

• 1536: Wales first 1536: Wales first represented in represented in Commons Commons

• 1707 Act of Union: 1707 Act of Union: Unification of Scottish Unification of Scottish and English and English Parliaments Parliaments

• 1801 Act of Union 1801 Act of Union with Ireland with Ireland

BoroughsBoroughs

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

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 that Rules were changed in 1429 when it was decreed that

only freemen who owned freehold land (that is, not only freemen who owned freehold land (that is, not leased from the land's owner) worth 40 shillings were leased from the land's owner) worth 40 shillings were allowed to vote allowed to vote

• Franchise comes from Old French Franchise comes from Old French franchisefranchise, from , from franchefranche, feminine of , feminine of francfranc, meaning "free" or "exempt" , meaning "free" or "exempt"

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

goods and services. If you want to give birth to goods and services. If you want to give birth to business without starting from zero, you can affiliate business without starting from zero, you can affiliate your company to an already successful brand. On one your company to an already successful brand. On one hand there is a firm already well established in the hand there is a firm already well established in the market (market (franchisorfranchisor), on the other hand there is a ), on the other hand there is a company, or person, starting activity (company, or person, starting activity (franchiseefranchisee) )

B)B)The franchisor gives the franchisee the freedom The franchisor gives the franchisee the freedom (Franchise) to trade its own goods under the former’s (Franchise) to trade its own goods under the former’s label, beside technical assistance and consultancylabel, beside technical assistance and consultancy

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

LeasingLeasing

• Leasing is a process by which a firm Leasing is a process by which a firm can obtain the use of a certain fixed can obtain the use of a certain fixed assets for which it must pay assets for which it must pay

A)A)The owner of assets (lessor) gives The owner of assets (lessor) gives someone else (lessee) the right to someone else (lessee) the right to use those goods, on return of a use those goods, on return of a series of contractual, periodic series of contractual, periodic paymentspayments

B)B)At the end of the contract the At the end of the contract the lessee has the faculty to purchase lessee has the faculty to purchase the assets through hire-purchase the assets through hire-purchase

ImpeachmentImpeachment

• Good ParliamentGood Parliament• The Parliament of 1376 was called the Good The Parliament of 1376 was called the Good

Parliament. The Commons prosecuted some Parliament. The Commons prosecuted some of the King's corrupt ministers, a process of the King's corrupt ministers, a process known as impeachment known as impeachment

• Wonderful ParliamentWonderful Parliament• In the Parliament of 1386 the Commons In the Parliament of 1386 the Commons

forced Richard II to dismiss his Lord forced Richard II to dismiss his Lord Chancellor (Minister of Justice)Chancellor (Minister of Justice)

• Merciless ParliamentMerciless Parliament• Two years later the Merciless Parliament Two years later the Merciless Parliament

condemned to death the former Lord condemned to death the former Lord Chancellor and in October 1399 Parliament Chancellor and in October 1399 Parliament deposed Richard II by trial and processdeposed Richard II by trial and process

Parliament and taxationParliament and taxation

• Parliament developed in the 13th Parliament developed in the 13th and 14th centuries largely through and 14th centuries largely through the desire of Edward I and his the desire of Edward I and his successors to wage warsuccessors to wage war

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

• Each time the King requested assent Each time the King requested assent to a tax from Parliament, it could ask to a tax from Parliament, it could ask a favour backa favour back

Knights and Burgesses

• The larger group in the Commons were The larger group in the Commons were the burgesses, two from each town the burgesses, two from each town allowed to return representatives allowed to return representatives

• Burgess selection:Burgess selection:- The King could make a town into a The King could make a town into a

parliamentary borough and also set out parliamentary borough and also set out the ways in which representatives were the ways in which representatives were elected: that is, who had the franchise. elected: that is, who had the franchise.

- The most prominent members in the The 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 from and primarily expressed the interests of and primarily expressed the interests of the landed elite, known as the gentrythe landed elite, known as the gentry

1911 Parliament Act1911 Parliament Act• Removal of right of veto for Lords to Removal of right of veto for Lords to

any public legislation approved by any public legislation approved by CommonsCommons

• Lords maximum legislative delay of one Lords maximum legislative delay of one month for money bills (taxation) and month for money bills (taxation) and two years for other types of bill two years for other types of bill

• Maximum duration of Parliament 5 Maximum duration of Parliament 5 yearsyears

1949 Parliament Act1949 Parliament Act• Any bill passed in Commons may be Any bill passed in Commons may be

delayed only for one year by Lordsdelayed only for one year by Lords

• Abolition of University and Abolition of University and Enterprise seats (one man, one vote)Enterprise seats (one man, one vote)

Bill vs ActBill vs Act• A Bill is a proposal for a new law, or A 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 before presented for debate before ParliamentParliament

• A Bill can start in the Commons or A Bill can start in the Commons or the Lords and must be approved in the Lords and must be approved in the same form by both Housesthe same form by both Houses

• Once approved, the Bill becomes an Once approved, the Bill becomes an Act of Parliament (Law)Act of Parliament (Law)

Royal Assent Royal Assent

• Royal Assent is the Monarch's agreement Royal 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 to The Monarch actually has the right to refuse Royal Assent but nowadays this refuse Royal Assent but nowadays this does not happendoes not happen

• Royal Assent formula is in Norman French Royal Assent formula is in Norman French ((La Reyne le veultLa Reyne le veult) )

Role of Parliament Role of Parliament Checking the Work of GovtChecking the Work of Govt

• Question Time: oral questions to Question Time: oral questions to Ministers Ministers

• Committes: membership reflects Committes: membership reflects party strength in Houseparty strength in House

• Debates in Commons: focused on Debates in Commons: focused on any national and international issue. any national and international issue. Votes to see whether majority backs Votes to see whether majority backs GovtGovt

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

Two-House SystemTwo-House System

• House of Commons House of Commons (Lower House publicly (Lower House publicly elected. 646 seats each elected. 646 seats each representing a representing a costituency (650 at next costituency (650 at next general election) general election)

• Main Functions: Main Functions: - Law-making Law-making - Raising and spending Raising and spending

public money (Govt public money (Govt takes key decisions, but takes key decisions, but Commons permission Commons permission needed)needed)

- Scrutiny: Opposition Scrutiny: Opposition challenges Govt and is challenges Govt and is also shadow Govtalso shadow Govt

• House of Lords (Upper House of Lords (Upper House) mostly appointed by House) mostly appointed by Monarch, some elected Monarch, some elected internally and some internally and some bishops and archbishops of bishops and archbishops of Church of England. Since Church of England. Since July 2008 746 membersJuly 2008 746 members

• Lords Spiritual/Lords Lords Spiritual/Lords TemporalTemporal

• Highest Court: Supreme Highest Court: Supreme Court of Appeal. Group of Court of Appeal. Group of salaried judges (Law Lords) salaried judges (Law Lords) carries out this job carries out this job

• Main Functions: Main Functions: - Consideration and revision Consideration and revision

of Bills from Commons of Bills from Commons - Initiation of non-Initiation of non-

controversial legislationcontroversial legislation- General debates General debates

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

rectangular shape, Govt rectangular shape, Govt and Opposition face and Opposition face each other. Govt on each other. Govt on right of Speaker,Official right of Speaker,Official Opposition and other Opposition and other parties to the leftparties to the left

• Govt and Shadow Govt Govt and Shadow Govt members on front members on front benches (front-benches (front-benchers). Junior MPs on benchers). Junior MPs on back benches (back-back benches (back-benchers)benchers)

• Crossing the floor: MPs Crossing the floor: MPs can change party at any can change party at any time. In this case they time. In this case they cross the floor to the cross the floor to the other sideother side

• House of Lords: Govt House of Lords: Govt and Opposition face and Opposition face each other. Govt and each other. Govt and Bishops on right of Bishops on right of Lord Speaker. Lord Speaker. Opposition parties on Opposition parties on leftleft

• Independent Peers Independent Peers (Crossbench Peers) on (Crossbench Peers) on benches crossing benches crossing ChamberChamber

DebatesDebates•Formal discussion on Bill or issue Formal discussion on Bill or issue

of topic importance (90 minutes)of topic importance (90 minutes)

•MP introduces subject - moving a MP introduces subject - moving a motionmotion

•Speaker in Commons or Lord Speaker in Commons or Lord Speaker repeats terms of motion Speaker repeats terms of motion

•Motion debatedMotion debated

•Decision taken, if necessary by Decision taken, if necessary by voting (division)voting (division)

Debates in CommonsDebates in Commons

• Catching the Speaker’s eye: MPs Catching the Speaker’s eye: MPs must get Speaker’s attention and must get Speaker’s attention and usually stand, or half rise usually stand, or half rise

• MPs speak only once, but may MPs speak only once, but may intervene with brief comments on intervene with brief comments on other members’ speechother members’ speech

• MPs who introduce subject have MPs who introduce subject have right to reply (tabling a motion)right to reply (tabling a motion)

Debates in LordsDebates in Lords

• Peers speak only once, except when Peers speak only once, except when clarification requested clarification requested

• When Lords communicates with When Lords communicates with Commons on a Bill, ritual formula is Commons on a Bill, ritual formula is in Norman French (soit baillé aux in Norman French (soit baillé aux communes) communes)

The Speaker of the House of CommonsThe Speaker of the House of Commons• MP elected by other MPs: Politically impartial at MP elected by other MPs: Politically impartial at

all times all 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 she Casting vote: Speaker may vote as he or she

pleases, but in practice: pleases, but in practice: - Speaker votes to give the House further Speaker votes to give the House further

opportunity to debate a bill: in other words, the opportunity to debate a bill: in other words, the Speaker would vote against amendmentSpeaker would vote against amendment

• Speaker must resign from party and remain Speaker must resign from party and remain separate from political issues even after separate from political issues even after retirement, but will deal with constituency’s retirement, but will deal with constituency’s problems like normal MP problems like normal MP

• Speakers stand in general elections, unopposed Speakers stand in general elections, unopposed by major parties. They do not campaign on by major parties. They do not campaign on political issues, but only stand as “Speaker political issues, but only stand as “Speaker seeking re-election”seeking re-election”

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

sure maximum number of Members votes sure maximum number of Members votes according to party wants according to party wants

• 18th century fox hunting terminology referring 18th century fox hunting terminology referring to person who drives dogs back to main pack to person who drives dogs back to main pack using 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. Important Special attention to divisions. Important divisions underlined three times divisions underlined three times

• Defying three-line whip has occasionally Defying three-line whip has occasionally resulted in expulsion from party resulted in expulsion from party

• Whip could resort to mixture of threats, Whip could resort to mixture of threats, blackmail and extortion to force unpopular vote blackmail and extortion to force unpopular vote

• For a minister, consequences for defying party For a minister, consequences for defying party whip are absolute: they are dismissed whip are absolute: they are dismissed immediatelyimmediately

Contacting your MPContacting your MP

• Everyone has the right to contact their local MP to Everyone has the right to contact their local MP to discuss issues affecting them.discuss issues affecting them. MPs will generally only MPs will generally only act on behalf of their constituentsact on behalf of their constituents

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

message. Phone the House of Commons switchboard message. Phone the House of Commons switchboard and ask for your MP by name. If you do not know their and ask for your MP by name. If you do not know their name then phone the House of Commons Information name then phone the House of Commons Information Office Office

B) By letterB) By letter• When writing to any MP the address to use is: House of When 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 you The majority of MPs now have email addresses that you

can write to can 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 in If you wish to contact a government minister in

connection to their ministerial responsibilities please connection to their ministerial responsibilities please use the contact facilities on their departmental website use the contact facilities on their departmental website

Topical IssuesTopical IssuesEconomy and finance – current issuesEconomy and finance – current issues

• 02.10.200902.10.2009

• UK UK OverseasOverseas TradeTrade ( (CurrentCurrent Account): Account): EconomicEconomic IndicatorsIndicators page page

• 09.09.200909.09.2009

• UK UK OverseasOverseas TradeTrade in in GoodsGoods: : EconomicEconomic IndicatorsIndicators page page

• 08.09.200908.09.2009

• G20 G20 Leaders'Leaders' summitssummits: : LondonLondon toto Pittsburgh (24-25 Pittsburgh (24-25 SepSep

• 13.08.200913.08.2009

• GlobalGlobal EconomicEconomic CrisisCrisis & & developingdeveloping countriescountries

HansardHansard

• Hansard (the Official Report) is the Hansard (the Official Report) is the edited verbatim report of edited verbatim report of proceedings in both Houses. Daily proceedings in both Houses. Daily Debates are published on website Debates are published on website the next working day at 8 amthe next working day at 8 am

• Full text of debates and oral and Full text of debates and oral and written questions for any date since written questions for any date since November 1988November 1988See See HistoricHistoric HansardHansard for debates for debates before 1988 before 1988