A parliament is a legislature that is directly elected by citizens to represent them. As a result it has three core functions: it passes laws, represents citizens interests and monitors the actions of government. Effective democratic parliaments must also conduct ongoing outreach with citizens on an ongoing basis if they are to fulfil their representative function. This can include broadcasting plenary sessions, having a website and producing publications designed to help citizens engage with the policy process.
Parliaments vary in structure but are usually either bicameral or unicameral. They may have a single chamber or two, and are often organised into select committees that specialise in particular policies and areas of concern. MPs must be able to understand and debate the issues that affect their constituents in order to adequately perform their representative function. This can require training in a variety of areas, such as constitutional law and legislative drafting. MPs are also expected to utilise the powers of their office to hold government departments to account, with the ability to call for ministers to give evidence before select committees, and to challenge ministerial incompetence through motions of no confidence.
In most parliaments there is also an opportunity for members of the public, if they are chosen by their local council, to submit proposals that they believe should become legislation. These are known as private members’ bills. They are considered in several stages, called readings, of both houses before they are considered in more detail in a parliamentary committee. If they are approved they then receive Royal Assent and are made law.
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