By Convention, the Cabinet is collectively responsible. The Cabinet is jointly responsible to Parliament. The principle requires members of the government to take a united front and to maintain confidence in Cabinet discussions. If they disagree with a particular matter, they should resign on it, resign and no longer remain in the Cabinet. Accordingly, Cabinet […]
Historically, the State, embodied by the Crown, had privilege and immunity from legal process. The King could do no wrong and was not liable for actions committed personally or in his name. Further, the King could not be sued in his own courts. Crown privilege covered a whole range of government liability. The Crown Proceedings […]
The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act of 2000 established an Electoral Commission. The Electoral Commissioners are appointed by the Crown and regulate party finances, political parties, and election standards. They prepare reports on general elections as well as Assembly and European elections. They also keep under review the registration of political parties, political expenditure, […]
Members of Parliament enjoy long-standing privileges. These privileges apply both to the Westminster Parliament and to the devolved Parliaments and Assemblies in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales. A central aspect of parliamentary privilege is Parliament’s right to organize its own procedures. This follows from Parliament’s inherent sovereignty or supremacy. Parliamentary privilege is derived from long-standing […]
The House of Lords is the upper house of the UK Parliament. Most legislation must be approved by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. However, the House of Lords is not an elected chamber and is constitutionally subordinate to the House of Commons. The House of Lords has its origins in […]
House Of Commons Standing Orders provide for addressing questions to Ministers. Question time is provided for three days per week for approximately one hour. Ministers of the Government answer questions put by Members of Parliament. The questions are provided in the order of business. Ministers answer questions, and supplementary questions may be put, approximately 20 […]
Parliament consists of the Monarch, the House of Lords, and the House of Commons. It derived from the King’s Council in medieval times. The House of Commons is the elected house, and the House of Lords is unelected. The principal function of Parliament is to provide the personnel for government, elect the government, hold the […]
Members of Parliament enjoy long-standing privileges. These privileges apply to both the Westminster Parliament and the devolved Parliaments and Assemblies in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales. A central aspect of parliamentary privilege is Parliament’s right to organize its own procedures. This right follows from Parliament’s inherent sovereignty or supremacy. Parliamentary privilege derives from long-standing constitutional […]