Session aims to cover. Understanding & Influencing Parliament 10/9/2012. Q1: Parliament is made up of. Parliament consists of

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Phoebe Walters
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How are laws made and how can you influence the passage of

Other ways of lobbying and influencing Parliament Three

consists of House of Commons House of Lords a) House of

1 Session aims to cover Understanding & Influencing Parliament Kerrie Fletcher South Derbyshire CVS / kerrief@sdcvs.org.uk October 2012 What is Parliament and what does it do? How are laws made and how can you influence the passage of legislation? Other ways of lobbying and influencing Parliament Three things you can do Q1: Parliament is made up of Parliament consists of House of Commons House of Lords a) House of Commons, House of Lords, Monarch b) House of Commons and the House of Lords c) The Government of the day d) The Palace of Westminster The monarch Copyright Houses of Parliament

2 Q2: When did women achieve the same voting rights as men? Q2: When did women achieve the same voting rights as men? a) 1908 b) 1918 c) 1928 d) 1945 c) 1928 Q3: What does Parliament do? Q3: What does Parliament do? a) Hold the Government to account b) Pass laws c) Set taxes d) All of the above d) All of the above Copyright Houses of Parliament

What does it do? Parliament has three main functions: Legislating - to make and pass laws Scrutinising - to hold the Government to account Controlling finances - to enable the Government to set taxes.

3 What does it do? Parliament has three main functions: Legislating - to make and pass laws Scrutinising - to hold the Government to account Controlling finances - to enable the Government to set taxes. Q4: Government is made up of a) Parliament as a whole b) All members of the majority (governing) party in the Commons c) Prime Minster + Cabinet + minsters d) Monarch + Prime Minister + Cabinet Q4: Government is made up of c) Prime Minster, Cabinet & minsters in charge of Government Departments What is the difference between Parliament and Government? Two separate institutions The Government is accountable to Parliament The Government proposes new laws to Parliament. Copyright Houses of Parliament

4 Parliament and Government House of Commons Opposition parties Shadow ministers Whips Backbenchers Governing parties Prime Minister Ministers Whips Backbenchers Government House of Lords Governing parties Ministers Whips Backbenchers Opposition parties Crossbenchers Whips Backbenchers Law lords Bishops Q5: When did a monarch last enter the House of Commons Chamber when it was sitting? a) Queen Elizabeth II in 2012 b) George VI in 1950 c) Queen Victoria in 1900 d) Charles I in 1642 Q5: When did a monarch last enter the House of Commons Chamber when it was sitting? d) Charles I in 1642 Q6: What is a Parliamentary Bill? a) A consultation paper issued by the Government b) A proposed law put before Parliament c) An invoice for services provided d) The agreed wording of a law passed by Parliament Copyright Houses of Parliament

5 Q6: What is a Parliamentary Bill? Types of Bill Private Bill b) A proposed law put before Parliament Public Bill Government Bill Private Members Bill. Preparing a Government Bill Government department proposes Bill Consultation with those affected by Bill Green Paper (discussion document) White Paper Approved by Cabinet Pre-legislative scrutiny Bill is drafted. Copyright Houses of Parliament

6 Q7: When was the last time a bill failed to get royal assent? Q7: When was the last time a bill failed to get royal assent? a) 1968 b) 1917 c) 1707 d) 1642 c) 1707 (The Scottish Militia Bill) Q8: The Parliament Act of 1911 Q8: The Parliament Act of 1911 a) Asserted the House of Commons as the dominant house b) Created the principle of one man one vote c) Allowed women to stand as MPs d) Created the positions of Black Rod and Speaker a) Asserted the House of Commons as the dominant house Copyright Houses of Parliament

7 Legislation Ways to influence draft legislation: Green Papers White Papers Pre-legislative committees Public Bill committees MPs and members of the House of Lords Green Papers Discussion papers to discuss potential issues for legislation Allows people inside and outside Parliament to debate a subject Generates feedback to Government Departments thinking of introducing new legislation. White Papers Documents produced by the Government setting out details of future policy on a particular subject A White Paper will often be the basis for a Bill to be put before Parliament The White Paper allows the Government an opportunity to gather feedback before it formally presents the policies as a Bill. MPs and members of the House of Lords All legislation has to be voted on by MPs and members of the House of Lords. Individuals and organisations can contact MPs and members of the House of Lords to make their case for or against draft legislation. Copyright Houses of Parliament

8 Committees Pre-legislative committees are made up of MPs or members of the House of Lords who look at draft legislation before it formally begins its passage through Parliament. Public Bill committees in the House of Commons scrutinise draft legislation often it is possible for members of the public to submit views to these committees. Public Bill committees Appointed for each Public Bill that goes through Parliament Take written and oral evidence from experts outside Parliament Examine Bills clause by clause Members of the committee can ask for changes by tabling amendments Reports its findings to the main chamber. Other influencing options Select Committees Parliamentary questions Parliamentary debates Early day motions All-party Parliamentary groups. Petitions Select committees Set up to scrutinise specific areas of work and Government departments Work carried out through public inquiries Groups and individuals submit evidence to inquiries Inquiry report created and usually passed to relevant Government department. Copyright Houses of Parliament

9 Parliamentary questions Two types written and oral Can be used to: Obtain information Press for action. Parliamentary questions What can be achieved The right person to ask How to ask the right question. Parliamentary debates Early day motions Adjournment debate - House of Commons Questions for short debate - House of Lords. Allows MPs to show their opinion on a particular subject Allows MPs and members of the House of Lords to: Raise constituency issues (MPs only) or matters of regional, national or international significance Get the issue to the attention of a relevant minister Get a response from the Government. Can be used to: Draw attention to an issue Call for action Commemorate, congratulate, condemn. Copyright Houses of Parliament

All-party Parliamentary groups Cross-party Both MPs and members of the House of Lords Based around common interest Not involved in formal decision making, but important in developing knowledge.

10 All-party Parliamentary groups Cross-party Both MPs and members of the House of Lords Based around common interest Not involved in formal decision making, but important in developing knowledge. Petitions A process where individuals or groups can appeal to Parliament through their MP It must consist of at least one name and address and be set out in the correct format The MP will present the petition to the House of Commons The petition will be published in Hansard and sent to the relevant Government department. e-petitions Website set up in Summer 2011: A petition can be about anything Government is responsible for If it reaches 100,000 signatures it will be considered for debate in the House of Commons Debate not guaranteed needs the backing of a backbench MP and agreement of the House of Commons Backbench Committee Current consultations The Weekly Information Bulletin Tells you everything going on in both Houses Bills before Parliament Previous Bills before Parliament Draft Bills Acts of Parliament Secondary Legislation (SIs). Copyright Houses of Parliament

11 Some recent campaigns Mobility Component of DLA Plans in the Welfare Reform Act to scrap mobility component for people living in local authority care homes - dropped. Tax relief on charitable donations Proposals dropped following the Give it Back, George campaign. 3 things you can do Find out about your MP who they are, how to contact them, what their interests are What current Parliamentary business can I influence? How else can I raise awareness? Getting involved Commons information Lords information Getting involved Scrutiny Unit: scrutiny@parliament.uk Select committees contact details are on the committees own homepage at Contact details for any MP or peer can be obtained at the Parliament homepage or through the House information lines. Copyright Houses of Parliament

THE HOUSE OF COMMONS AT WORK

THE HOUSE OF COMMONS AT WORK?? The House of Commons is open and accountable to the public. From the robust exchanges at Prime Minister s Questions to the careful consideration of government policy in a