The Parliament of Great Britain

The Parliament was formed in 1707 by the Acts of Union The oldest Parliament
Upper House House of Lords
Lower House House of Commons
Queen

Parliament has three main functions:
Examining and challenging the work of the government
To debate the major issues of the day and passing all laws
Enabling the government to raise taxes

The business of Parliament takes place in two Houses:
the House of Commons
Their work is
Both must
the House of Lords.
similar
debate and vote

The House of Commons
Meets at the Palace of Westminster
The Commons is publicly elected
MPs in the House of Commons are elected for a period of five years

Speaker
The House of
Commons
elects a speaker
Doesn't take part in
debate nor vote
John Bercow
since 22
June 2009.

The Commons Chamber

The House of Lords
Members are appointed
by the Queen
Life Peers Baron or
Baroness, ¼ are women
Hereditary Peers
inherit their seats