Lecture III the Government of Great Britain. British Monarchy

2. The British Parliament

• Power in Great Britain is divided among three branches:
• the legislative branch,
• the executive branch and
• the judicial branch.

The Parliament of Great Britain is the legislative body of that nation. Formally, Parliament consists of the monarch, the House of Commons, and the House of Lords. In common usage, however, the term refers to Commons and Lords only. Virtually all power rests with the House of Commons. The power exercised by Parliament is unlimited, making it in fact the sovereign of the nation.

• The Parliament of Great Britain is the legislative body of that nation. Formally, Parliament consists of the monarch, the House of Commons, and the House of Lords. In common usage, however, the term refers to Commons and Lords only. Virtually all power rests with the House of Commons. The power exercised by Parliament is unlimited, making it in fact the sovereign of the nation.

The House of Commons has about 650 elected members and is presided over by the Speaker. The maximum period between elections is five years, but the actual timing of an election is usually decided by the PIME MINISTER. The minimum voting age is 18, and the voting is taken by secret ballot. Each Member of Parliament (called MPs for short) represents an area in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. MPs are elected either at a general election or at a by-election following the death or retirement of an MP.

• The House of Commons has about 650 elected members and is presided over by the Speaker. The maximum period between elections is five years, but the actual timing of an election is usually decided by the PIME MINISTER. The minimum voting age is 18, and the voting is taken by secret ballot. Each Member of Parliament (called MPs for short) represents an area in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. MPs are elected either at a general election or at a by-election following the death or retirement of an MP.