Syllabus Area One: Living in a Democracy

The British Parliament Aims: Identify the role played by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. Identify the role played by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. Examine how MPs represent their constituents in Parliament. Examine how MPs represent their constituents in Parliament.

What Is The Government When people talk about our government, they often use the word PARLIAMENT. Parliament is made up of: House of Commons (MPs) House of Commons (MPs) House of Lords (Peers) House of Lords (Peers) Monarchy (Queen) Monarchy (Queen) Each part of Parliament plays a part in how laws are made in this country

What Is the Government? The government is in charge of running the country and is made up of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. The government is in charge of running the country and is made up of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. The Prime Minister picks the most important MPs in their party to help him or her form a government. This is called the Cabinet. The Prime Minister picks the most important MPs in their party to help him or her form a government. This is called the Cabinet. The Cabinet (Government ministers) make the important decisions and run the country. The Cabinet (Government ministers) make the important decisions and run the country. Ordinary MPs who are not Government ministers are known as Backbenchers or Private Members. Ordinary MPs who are not Government ministers are known as Backbenchers or Private Members.

What Do They Get Paid? Current salaries as of 1 st April 2010 Prime Minister Prime Minister£142,500 Cabinet Minister Cabinet Minister £134, 565 Ordinary MP Ordinary MP£65,738

The Role of the MP Aim: Identify how MPs represent their constituents (people from their local area) in Parliament.

The Work of an MP Hours Worked by An MP: Mon-Fri House of Commons pm (Can be later if there are important debates) Sat-Sun Work in Constituency Hours Worked By An MSP (Scottish Parliament) MonWork in constituency Tues-Fri Scottish Parliament 9.30am – 5pm Fri-Sun Work in constituency

The Work of an MP Making Laws A bill has to go through various stages in order to become a law. A bill has to go through various stages in order to become a law. At various points MPs can take part in debates about the proposed law and vote on whether it should become law. At various points MPs can take part in debates about the proposed law and vote on whether it should become law. A committee of MPs will also examine a bill and suggest changes. A committee of MPs will also examine a bill and suggest changes.

The Work of an MP Question Time Can ask Cabinet (Government) ministers questions about what they have done. Can ask Cabinet (Government) ministers questions about what they have done. Prime Minister’s Question Time is on a Wednesday for 30 mins. Prime Minister’s Question Time is on a Wednesday for 30 mins. Questions are given 3 days in advance. Questions are given 3 days in advance.

The Work of an MP Debates (Discussions) These always take place when new laws are being passed. These always take place when new laws are being passed. MPs can make speeches and ask questions. MPs can make speeches and ask questions. In some debates, MPs will be asked to vote on an issue or a new law. In some debates, MPs will be asked to vote on an issue or a new law.

The Work of an MP Committees Select committees keep an eye on the work of Government departments. Select committees keep an eye on the work of Government departments. MPs can join these committee and put forward the views of his/her local area. MPs can join these committee and put forward the views of his/her local area.

The Whip System Every political party appoints ‘Party Whips’ It is the Whips job to make sure that MPs support their party and leader in key votes in the House of Commons. If an MP refuses to support their party he/she may have the Whip withdrawn. This means their party does not support them and they may not be selected to stand for the party in the next election.

The Whip System How Does It Work? Each week, the Whips issue MPs notes on the order of business in Parliament for the coming week. *One line whips asks the MP to attend the House House *Two line whips expects the MP to attend and support the government the government *Three line whip demands an MP’s attendance and support. support.

Pressures on an MP ConstituentsParty Local area National Interest Ideological Beliefs Individual conscience Pressure Groups Media