I am mindful of the difference between the executive branch and the legislative branch. I assured all four of these leaders that I know the difference, and that difference is they pass the laws and I execute them.
George W. Bush
Reading for Vocabulary 2.3.
Order, order
Before you read. Think over the following questions:
- What are the main UK and US legislative bodies?
- Do you know how and why Parliament became the core legislative bode
in the UK?
- What is the main function of Parliament?
Read the following text.
Today a new Member of Parliament is due to take his seat in the House of Commons. David Belotti, who won the Eastbourne by-election for the Liberal Democrats last Thursday, will take the place held by Ian Gow before his assassination in July.
Mr Belottis victory was his partys first since the last General Election, and surprised many commentators. An opinion poll earlier this month had suggested that the Conservative candidate would retain the seat.
The new MP may be in for some other surprises when he enters the House of Commons. Many newcomers find the rules, conventions and traditions of the House which reassembled after its 11-week summer break last week difficult to follow.
Parliament is made up of three institutions: the Houses of Commons and Lords, and the monarchy. Its buildings are officially called the Palace of Westminster, as monarchs used to live there from before the Norman Conquest until the 16th century. Some people still live there today, including the Speaker, who has the job of ensuring that MPs stick to the Commons rules.
The word parliament derives from the Latin parliamentum, which medieval rulers used for the advisers they summoned to Westminster. In 1265 King Henry III was forced to acknowledge the first Parliament.
Parliament, the heart of British democracy, is based on the principle that the people hold ultimate power, which they exercise every five years, or less, by voting for the MP of their choice. Tax collection has to be approved by Parliament, which must also challenge the work of government. It can do this by questioning government ministers during debates, or by examining their policies in detail in special committees. In addition, the House of Lords acts as Britains highest legal Court of Appeal. But Parliaments main role is to debate and pass laws; these are rules which determine what citizens can and cannot do.
Exercises
- Give the equivalents of the following:
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; , ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; , , ; ; ;
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- Find as many synonyms as you can:
Ruler, to pass laws, to debate laws, to take a seat, to retain a seat, to hold power, to exercise power, to reassemble, to stick to rules, monarch
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