Parliament of the United Kingdom | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | 1 seats |
| Labour Party | 3 seats |
| Vacant | 28 seats |
| Type | Bicameral legislature |
| Houses | House of Commons, House of Lords |
| Head | The Sovereign |
| Meeting place | Palace of Westminster, London |
| Website | hoc.ukogb.co.uk and hol.ukogb.co.uk |
The Parliament of the United Kingdom is the supreme legislature of UKOGB. It is made up of three parts: The Sovereign, the elected House of Commons and the appointed House of Lords. Parliament makes and changes the law, approves taxes and spending, and holds the government to account. Because no court can overturn an Act of Parliament, it is said to be sovereign.
Contents
History
Parliament grew out of the councils that medieval kings called to raise money and take advice. Over the centuries the Commons, representing the towns and counties, gained power over taxation and then over the government itself, until by convention the government came to depend on the confidence of the House of Commons. Parliament meets in the Palace of Westminster in London.
Making laws
A bill is a proposed law. It is introduced in the House of Commons and goes through a first reading, a second reading debate on its principles, a committee stage where it is examined line by line, a report stage and a third reading. Each stage is set by the Speaker, and members vote in divisions, voting Aye, No or abstaining, often following their party's whip.
A bill that passes the Commons goes to the House of Lords, which can suggest amendments. Once both Houses agree on the text it is presented to The Sovereign for Royal Assent and becomes an Act of Parliament. In UKOGB every Act is added to the laws on the website and published in the Gazette.
Scrutiny
Parliament also checks the work of the government. Ministers answer questions in the chamber, including the Prime Minister at Prime Minister's Questions every week. Select committees hold inquiries, take evidence from ministers and others, and publish reports that the government must answer. Members can also table a motion of no confidence, and a government that loses one must resign or call an election.
This page was last edited on 3 November 2026.