House of Commons (United Kingdom)

The House of Commons is the lower branch of the Houses of Parliament, situated in the Palace of Westminster in London, the legislative branch of government in the United Kingdom. Unlike the House of Lords' system of appointed representatives, 646 Members of Parliament (MPs) sit in the Commons, and are each elected using the first past the post electoral system by a constituency of voters. Almost all MPs are members of a political party, and the party which forms the majority of seats in the Commons usually forms the Government, with the head of the majority party as Prime Minister. The Opposition, being the largest minority party, sits opposite the Government. The monarch, at the request of the Prime Minister or after a maximum of five years, dissolves Parliament and a general election is held to decide the makeup of the House of Commons and, by extension, the Government. Debates in Parliament are often broadcast on radio and television, and a formal publication is made daily of the business of both Houses in Hansard.

The House itself is a chamber of green benches (those in the House of Lords are red). More senior politicians usually sit closer to the floor (though a 'frontbencher' is a government minister, and will also sit near the despatch boxes, from where major speeches are made), while lowlier members are positioned further back ('backbenchers'). Members of the governing party ideally face those of other parties, with two swordslengths separating them across the chamber; however, a large party may spill over onto the other side. In any case, there are not enough seats for all 646 MPs, so in well-attended debates many must stand or sit on the stairs. The chamber often has a lively atmosphere, with members cheering on or heckling speakers; debates are brought to order by the Speaker, who is also an MP but has left their party. A public gallery allows non-members to view the proceedings.

Under the 1911 Parliament Act, the House of Commons, despite being the lower house, has supremacy and places a limit on the amount of delay that the Lords can have on Bills enacting manifesto pledges. Ultimately, the House of Lords can only hold up, not block, almost all legislation, although legislation which is unpopular in the upper house is often modified in order to satisfy complaints from the Lords. The Parliament Act does not allow the Commons to force the House of Lords to pass legislation which the Lords originated. It has been used only a handful of times, most recently with the 2004 Hunting Act, which banned hunting with dogs, and the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act, which lowered the age of consent for male homosexuals to 16.

Members of Parliament must be over 18 and a citizen of the UK, an overseas territory, the Ireland or the Commonwealth. Bankrupts, lunatics, members of the House of Lords, those in prison for high treason, judges in high-level courts, civil servants, some officers of the Crown and serving members of the armed forces are not permitted to become MPs. MPs, once elected, cannot technically resign, but must seek disqualification through being given a Crown appointment in order to leave.

Members of Parliament can introduce legislation to the Commons through a variety of methods, including Early Day Motions and through formal Bills. They also able to sit on a variety of Committees which draft legislation, conduct investigations, listen to testimony from invited speakers and conduct a variety other business.

See also

• Resigning from the House of Commons
• House of Lords
• Parliament of the United Kingdom