Facts for Kids
The House of Commons is the lower house of the United Kingdom's Parliament where MPs meet to discuss and create laws.
Overview
Legislative Procedures
Impact On British Society
Structure And Composition
Current Issues And Debates
Roles And Responsibilities
Elections And Voting Process
Committees And Their Functions
History Of The House Of Commons
Comparison With The House Of Lords
Key Figures In The House Of Commons
Inside this Article
Conservative Party
Climate Change
United Kingdom
Government
Parliament
Community
Becoming
Monarch
People
Party
Focus
Did you know?
🇬🇧 The House of Commons is the lower house of the UK Parliament that helps make laws!
🏰 It has a rich history dating back to the 13th century, with the first Parliament meeting in 1215.
🎉 There are 650 Members of Parliament (MPs) in the House of Commons, each representing a specific area.
🧑⚖️ The Speaker leads the House of Commons and ensures discussions are fair and smooth.
🏛️ MPs discuss and vote on new laws, known as bills, to help improve life for people in the UK.
🗳️ Elections for MPs happen every five years, and people aged 18 and older can vote!
✍️ A bill must be discussed, voted on, and approved in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords to become a law.
💼 Committees are small groups of MPs that investigate specific topics and help create laws.
👔 The Prime Minister is the leader of the largest party in the House of Commons and runs the country!
🌍 The House of Commons discusses important issues like climate change and healthcare that affect everyone.
Introduction
Legislative Procedures
️ First, a new idea called a "bill" is proposed and discussed. If MPs agree, they vote on it! If the majority say "yes," the bill moves to the next stage called "debate." After discussing and possibly changing it, it goes for a final vote. 👍
Once passed, the bill travels to the House of Lords for more discussion. If they also agree, it reaches the monarch for approval! After that, it becomes an official law!
Impact On British Society
Decisions made today impact generations to come, showing just how significant their work is! The House of Commons also allows for diverse voices, helping to represent the thoughts and needs of people across the United Kingdom! 🌟
Structure And Composition
Each MP represents a different area of the UK, called a "constituency." MPs work together to discuss new ideas, laws, and budgets. The House of Commons is led by the Speaker, who makes sure everything runs smoothly and fairly. 🧑
⚖️ The Speaker must remain neutral, not showing preference for any political party. Political parties, like the Conservative Party and the Labour Party, play a big role, and the biggest party usually has the Prime Minister leading them!
Current Issues And Debates
Issues such as climate change, education, and healthcare are at the forefront. For example, debates about how to make schools better and how to help the environment are frequent! 📝
MPs have passionate discussions about these topics, sharing different views and solutions. They also discuss how to help people with the rising cost of living, ensuring everyone can afford everyday essentials! 🔍
Staying informed about these debates helps people understand their government better!
Roles And Responsibilities
Additionally, they help decide how the government spends money, which is very important for a country’s future!
Elections And Voting Process
️ People who are 18 and older can vote for their preferred candidate in their constituency. When it’s time for an election, each area has its own poll where people can casts their vote. The candidate with the most votes becomes the MP for that area! 🎈
If the election results happen to be tied, the candidate with the most votes in the last election wins. After elections, parties form a government, with the leader becoming the Prime Minister!
Committees And Their Functions
They do important work by investigating issues and helping to create laws! There are different types of committees, like the Public Accounts Committee and the Home Affairs Committee. They hold meetings, speak to experts, and report their findings back to the House of Commons. 🏛
️ This helps the whole house understand issues better and make informed decisions. Committees also keep the government in check, ensuring it is doing its job well! 🔍
History Of The House Of Commons
The first official Parliament met in 1215 after King John signed the Magna Carta. Initially, only wealthy landowners could participate. Over time, more people gained the right to vote, and by the 19th century, massive changes took place, allowing even more voices to be heard. The House of Commons became more powerful than the King, changing England's government forever! 🥳
The first official member was Sir Peter de Montfort in 1265, and today, it’s home to 650 MPs!
Comparison With The House Of Lords
While the Commons has elected MPs representing areas, the Lords are appointed members, including life peers and bishops. The House of Commons has more power when it comes to making laws, as they are elected by the people, making them more accountable! 👥
In contrast, the House of Lords reviews and suggests changes to bills but cannot reject them outright. Together, they work as a team to ensure the best decisions for the country!
Key Figures In The House Of Commons
The Prime Minister is in charge of running the country and represents the largest party. The Leader of the Opposition checks what the Prime Minister does and offers alternative ideas. Other key figures include the Speaker, who ensures fairness in debates, and various MPs who question and challenge the government’s decisions. 📣
Together, they play vital roles in ensuring good governance!
House Of Commons Quiz
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Mission
To create a safe space for kid creators worldwide!
2025, URSOR LIMITED. All rights reserved. DIY is in no way affiliated with Minecraft™, Mojang, Microsoft, Roblox™ or YouTube. LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group which does not sponsor, endorse or authorize this website or event. Made with love in San Francisco.