1. The Politics Association
AS Government and Politics
Powerpoint Presentation - 6
Parliament

2. ‘Parliament’
from the
French word
‘parlement’ which
means ‘speaking’.

3. Early history and development of
Parliament
Two important developments
• Saxon Kings of England established
in the 15th century –
the ‘Witangemot’ (wise assembly) to
advise and counsel.
• Early sixteenth century – two separate 1 The pledge by Henry IV that
Houses of Parliament are meeting with all money grants had to be
approved by the House of
the monarch. Commons before being
• Main business of early parliamentary considered by the Lords.
meetings – WAR AND TAX.
• The ‘Upper House’ – LORDS – 2 Commons gain the right to
hereditary peerage and senior clergy. participate in the process of law
making.
• The ‘Lower House’ – COMMONS – elected
men from large cities and towns.

4. By the 16th At the end of the 16th
century – century it was accepted
the Tudors were that law put forward by
passing large the King and accepted
amounts of by Parliament had
religious superiority over all other
legislation forms of law.
through
Parliament.

5. Parliament and the Civil War Parliament and the
‘Glorious’ Revolution
Growing conflict between Parliament
and Crown developed in the years
after the reign of James I. The key point of the ‘Glorious
Revolution’ was the
introduction of the ‘Bill of
Civil War between Parliament and King – Rights’. This is not to be
Charles I – ended in 1649 with the confused with similar Bills –
execution of the King. The monarchy France, America – that clarify
and the House of Lords were abolished the position of citizens with
and a Protectorate established which regard to government.
was dominated by Oliver Cromwell.
The Bill of Rights that came
The monarchy and the Lords were into being after the ‘Glorious
restored – the relationship between Revolution’ was more
Crown and Parliament, however, would concerned with setting out the
never be the same. position of the monarch.

6. The Bill of Rights - 1688
I agree to limit my royal prerogative and therefore end
the claim of the monarch to absolute power. I also
accept the concept of parliamentary government.
From now on, my heirs and I will only rule through
Parliament – in fact, I’m going to let ministers do most
of the work. Actually.
Blimey – I’ve just invented Cabinets and Prime
Ministers.
James 11

7. Parliament in the Industrial Age
The ‘Great Reform Act’– 1832
The vote was extended to some middle-class
The history of Parliament in the men and established the principles that the
nineteenth century is basically constitution could be changed and that those
people who contributed to the development
the story of an institution slowly
and wealth of society had a right to political
passing from the exclusive
representation.
control of the landed aristocracy The ‘Second Reform Act’ – 1867
and accepting the reality of an The franchise is further extended to include
ambitious commercial political more middle-class men and some working
class and a mass, working class class men in urban areas.
electorate. The ‘Third Reform Act’ – 1884/1885
Attempted to do for the rural working class
what the earlier reform act had achieved for
Parliament in the 19th century is
the urban working class. The Third Reform Act
characterised by a series of major
is really a collection of smaller pieces of
reform acts. legislation that include representation but also
deal with corruption and secret ballots.

8. Parliament and a mass electorate
With the eventual enfranchisement Growing conflict between the House
of women in the early 20th century of Lords and the House of
the creation of a mass electorate Commons came to a head in the
was complete. The following points events leading to the PARLIAMENT
all relate to the IMPACT of this mass ACT of 1911 that resulted in the
electorate on Parliament. restriction of the powers of the
House of Lords to delay government
The relationship between the House legislation.
of Lords and the House of Commons
underwent a fundamental change as As the electorate grew – so did the
the reform acts of the 19th and early need for organised and disciplined
20th centuries changed the social political parties. These groups soon
composition of Parliament. dominated Parliament.

9. The Role of Parliament
LEGITIMATION
Parliament confers legitimacy on the exercise of political power.
SCRUTINY AND INFLUENCE
Parliament scrutinises the proposals and actions of the executive.
REPRESENTATION
Parliament provides representation for the population through MPs in the House of
Commons.
RECRUITMENT OF GOVERNMENT MINISTERS
Majority of government ministers are recruited from Parliament.
LAW MAKING
Parliament gives assent to legislative proposals put forward by the government.
DELIBERATION
Parliament acts as a debating chamber.

10. KEY CONCEPT - Sovereignty
• Sovereignty is the exclusive right to Eurosceptics argue that
power within a territory or nation. A Parliamentary Sovereignty
sovereign state controls its own has been breached by UK
affairs without interference and does membership of the EU.
not need to seek permission from
EU law is binding on all
any other power or institution before
member states & effectively
making law. takes precedence over UK
• Parliamentary sovereignty is the law.
power of parliament to make of
EU legislation becomes law in
repeal any law and is part of common
the UK automatically.
law developed from the late 17th
century onwards. Parliamentary EU treaties such as the Single
sovereignty means that Parliament European Act (1986) and Maastricht
can pass, change or repeal any law it (1993) expanded the legislative role of
wishes and is not bound in any way the EU and added to concerns about
by the laws made by earlier the reduction of British Parliamentary
sovereignty.
Parliaments.

11. KEY CONCEPT - Democracy
The Athenian System: city-state of Athens, 5th
century BC, every citizen allowed to attend
assembly meetings to determine new laws.
Direct Democracy: later developments of the
Athenian system based on principles of right
to vote and hold office, participate and
Democracy is a key majority votes.
Representative Democracy: citizens elect
concept
representatives to take decisions for them.
to consider when
Liberal Democracy: the belief in limited
studying government and that people should be free
Parliament. from arbitrary rule. Emphasis on will of
people.
Parliamentary Democracy: as opposed to a
presidential system such as the USA where
the elections for the executive and legislature
are held separately.