Understanding the House of Commons
The House of Commons is one of the two parts of the UK Parliament, the other being the House of Lords. It is considered the more important chamber because its members (called Members of Parliament, or MPs) are elected by the people. This means that MPs represent the views and needs of their local communities.
Who are the Members of Parliament (MPs)?
Each MP represents a specific area called a parliamentary constituency. For example, if you live in the constituency of Manchester Central, your MP will represent your interests in the House of Commons.
What do MPs do?
MPs have several important responsibilities:
- Representing Constituents: They listen to the concerns of people in their area and bring these issues to Parliament.
- Creating New Laws: MPs help to write and vote on new laws that affect everyone in the country.
- Scrutinising the Government: They check and examine what the government is doing. This helps ensure that the government is acting in the best interest of the public.
- Debating National Issues: MPs discuss important topics, such as health care, education, and the economy. These debates help inform decisions and policies.
Example of a Debate
Imagine a debate about how to improve public transport. MPs from different parties may present their views, share ideas, and discuss the best ways to make transport better for everyone. This helps the government understand what people want and need.
Key Rules in the House of Commons
- Question Time: This is a time when MPs can ask the Prime Minister and other ministers questions about their work. It is a chance to hold the government accountable.
- Voting: When MPs vote on a new law, they can vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’. A majority of votes decides whether the law is passed.
- Conduct: MPs are expected to behave respectfully during debates. They should listen to each other and not interrupt.
Questions
Easy Level Questions
- What is the House of Commons?
- A) A library
- B) A part of Parliament
- C) A school
- D) A hospital
- Who are the members of the House of Commons called?
- A) Senators
- B) MPs
- C) Councillors
- D) Judges
- How are MPs chosen?
- A) By appointment
- B) By election
- C) By lottery
- D) By age
- What does an MP represent?
- A) The whole country
- B) A parliamentary constituency
- C) Only their family
- D) The House of Lords
- Which chamber is more important?
- A) House of Lords
- B) House of Commons
- C) Neither
- D) Both are equal
- What is one responsibility of an MP?
- A) To cook
- B) To create new laws
- C) To play sports
- D) To be a teacher
- What is Question Time?
- A) A time for MPs to debate
- B) A time for MPs to ask questions
- C) A time for MPs to go home
- D) A time for MPs to eat
- What do MPs do during debates?
- A) Sleep
- B) Listen and share ideas
- C) Watch TV
- D) Cook food
- Who is the Prime Minister?
- A) A member of the House of Commons
- B) A member of the House of Lords
- C) A judge
- D) A mayor
- What do MPs do with the concerns of their constituents?
- A) Ignore them
- B) Bring them to Parliament
- C) Write them down
- D) Discuss them with friends
Medium Level Questions
- What is the main purpose of the House of Commons?
- A) To discuss sports
- B) To make laws and represent the people
- C) To provide entertainment
- D) To run schools
- Why is the House of Commons considered more important than the House of Lords?
- A) Because it has more members
- B) Because its members are elected
- C) Because it has more power
- D) Because it is older
- What happens if an MP wants to propose a new law?
- A) They can talk to their friends
- B) They must present it in the House of Commons
- C) They can ignore it
- D) They must write a book
- How do MPs check what the government is doing?
- A) By asking questions and debating
- B) By going on holidays
- C) By avoiding meetings
- D) By writing stories
- What is the role of the Prime Minister in the House of Commons?
- A) To vote for all laws
- B) To answer questions and lead the government
- C) To represent a constituency
- D) To manage the House of Lords
- How does voting work in the House of Commons?
- A) MPs can vote anytime
- B) MPs vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’
- C) MPs do not vote
- D) Only the Prime Minister votes
- What do MPs do when they scrutinise the government?
- A) They support everything
- B) They check and question government actions
- C) They ignore government actions
- D) They leave the room
- What is an example of a national issue debated in the House of Commons?
- A) School lunches
- B) Public transport improvements
- C) Local park maintenance
- D) Family gatherings
- How often does Question Time occur?
- A) Every day
- B) Once a week
- C) At regular intervals
- D) Only when the Prime Minister wants
- What is a parliamentary constituency?
- A) A type of law
- B) A small area represented by an MP
- C) A group of schools
- D) A type of government building
Hard Level Questions
- What is the significance of MPs being elected?
- A) It makes them more popular
- B) It gives them a mandate to represent the public
- C) It allows them to have more fun
- D) It means they can ignore laws
- What is a bill in Parliament?
- A) A type of tax
- B) A proposed law
- C) A report on sports
- D) A government budget
- When can MPs debate national issues?
- A) Only at the end of the year
- B) During regular sessions of the House of Commons
- C) Only when the Prime Minister is present
- D) Whenever they want
- How do MPs represent their constituencies?
- A) By making decisions for themselves
- B) By listening to their constituents and addressing their concerns
- C) By spending time away from Parliament
- D) By focusing only on party politics
- What is the role of the Speaker of the House of Commons?
- A) To make laws
- B) To oversee debates and maintain order
- C) To represent a constituency
- D) To be the Prime Minister
- Why is it important for MPs to scrutinise government actions?
- A) To ensure transparency and accountability
- B) To make friends
- C) To avoid work
- D) To travel more
- What happens if an MP does not represent their constituency’s views?
- A) They can be re-elected easily
- B) They may lose support and be voted out
- C) They will get a promotion
- D) Nothing happens
- What is the term for the process of discussing and voting on new laws?
- A) Legislation
- B) Recreation
- C) Celebration
- D) Exploration
- How does the House of Commons impact everyday life?
- A) By discussing sports
- B) By creating and passing laws that affect citizens
- C) By planning parties
- D) By ignoring public needs
- What is the relationship between the Prime Minister and the House of Commons?
- A) The Prime Minister is a member of the House of Commons and leads the government
- B) The Prime Minister has no role
- C) The Prime Minister only visits occasionally
- D) The Prime Minister is elected by the House of Lords
Answers and Explanations
Easy Level Answers
- B) A part of Parliament
- B) MPs
- B) By election
- B) A parliamentary constituency
- B) House of Commons
- B) To create new laws
- B) A time for MPs to ask questions
- B) Listen and share ideas
- A) A member of the House of Commons
- B) Bring them to Parliament
Medium Level Answers
- B) To make laws and represent the people
- B) Because its members are elected
- B) They must present it in the House of Commons
- A) By asking questions and debating
- B) To answer questions and lead the government
- B) MPs vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’
- B) They check and question government actions
- B) Public transport improvements
- C) At regular intervals
- B) A small area represented by an MP
Hard Level Answers
- B) It gives them a mandate to represent the public
- B) A proposed law
- B) During regular sessions of the House of Commons
- B) By listening to their constituents and addressing their concerns
- B) To oversee debates and maintain order
- A) To ensure transparency and accountability
- B) They may lose support and be voted out
- A) Legislation
- B) By creating and passing laws that affect citizens
- A) The Prime Minister is a member of the House of Commons and leads the government
