Year 11 - Citizenship
Should parliamentary procedures be modernised?
What is the nature of the British Constitution?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils consider why we need a separation of powers and whether the current political structures are fit for purpose.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to describe some of the traditional procedures in Parliament and consider if these procedures need to be modernised.
Key Notes
- Traditional procedures are embedded in Parliament through the State Opening of Parliament and in the day-to-day running.
- Some traditions in Parliament include: guards checking cellars, role of Black Rod, Speaker, prayers.
- Some traditions could stay the same to celebrate history or could be modernised, like voting in Scottish Parliament.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Parliament: the institution of government in the UK; it comprises of three parts: the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the monarch; its purpose is to debate, make laws and scrutinise the Government
- House of Commons: an elected body currently consisting of 650 members of Parliament, where MPs debate, make laws and scrutinise the Government; it is the lower house of Parliament and meets in the Palace of Westminster
- House of Lords: the upper house of Parliament, composed of life peers and hereditary peers, who scrutinise the bills approved by the House of Commons; the House of Lords meets in the Palace of Westminster
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Parliamentary procedures and traditions are old-fashioned and have no meaning in modern society.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Traditional procedures are embedded in Parliament through the State Opening of Parliament and in the day-to-day running. Some traditions in Parliament include: guards checking cellars, role of Black Rod, Speaker, prayers.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'Parliament'
the institution of government in the UK; it comprises of three parts: the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the monarch; its purpose is to debate, make laws and scrutinise the Government.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Parliamentary procedures and traditions are old-fashioned and have no meaning in modern society. Correction: The traditions in Parliament exist for important reasons and serve to highlight the democratic principles that shape our society.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Is the physical set up of the House of Commons fit for purpose? Study Guide
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of an uncodified constitution? Study Guide
- What are the benefits and drawbacks of a bicameral system? Study Guide
- What does the Supreme Court do? Study Guide
- Why do we have a separation of powers? Study Guide
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