The structure of the UK parliament

Question 1

What is parliament?

Answer 1

The British legislature made up of the house of commons, the house of lords and the monarch

Question 2

What is the house of commons?

Answer 2

The primary chamber of the UK legislature, directly elected by voters

Question 3

What is the house of lords?

Answer 3

The second chamber of the UK legislature, not directly elected by voters

Question 4

What is opposition?

Answer 4

MPs and Lords who are not part of the governing party/parties

Question 4

What is opposition?

Answer 4

MPs and Lords who are not part of the governing party/parties

Question 5

What are backbenchers?

Answer 5

MPs or Lords who do not hold government office

Question 6

What does bicameral mean?

Answer 6

A legislative body made up of two chambers

Question 7

Why has the commons become the more significant chamber?

Answer 7

Because it’s elected

Question 8

What is the point in having a bicameral system?

Answer 8

It helps create balance in the political system. Very often the second chamber will have a different kind of membership to ensure better representation and that the first chamber does not hold too much power

Question 9

Why is the position of the Lords unclear?

Answer 9

The uncodified nature of the constitution has caused politics to evolve more naturally. In systems with codified constitutions it is much more obvious why the second chamber exists

Question 10

What is the legislature?

Answer 10

The branch of government responsible for passing laws