The UK Constitution Part 2: Parliament The Bench Report podcast

22d ago 12:15

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Ever feel like the inner workings of the UK Parliament are a mystery? It's the central stage for making the laws that shape our lives, and understanding its structure and powers is crucial for anyone wanting to know how the UK really works. Unlike some countries with single written constitutions, the UK's parliamentary system has evolved over centuries, making it both fascinating and sometimes a bit complex.

Today, The Bench Report looks into the UK Parliament. We explore what it's made of and, more importantly, what it actually does. As the primary law-making body for the UK, its power and how it operates are fundamental to understanding the nation's governance.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

* The Foundation of Power: Discover how Parliament's authority is rooted in the royal prerogative and why it's often referred to as the "Crown in Parliament."

* The Structure of Parliament: Understand the different parts of the UK Parliament, its official name, and how a new parliament begins after a general election. We also look at parliamentary sessions and how they function.

* Parliamentary Sovereignty Demystified: The core principle that Parliament can make or unmake any law and the ongoing discussions surrounding its interaction with international law and human rights.

* Key Powers and Privileges: Parliamentary privilege, including freedom of speech within Parliament, which is essential for open debate.

* The Law-Making Process: the typical journey of a bill, from its initial introduction to the final stage of Royal Assent, explaining key steps like readings and committee stages.

* Holding the Government Accountable: Explore the various ways Parliament scrutinizes the government's actions, including select committees and parliamentary questions.

Extended shownotes on Substack

Source: The United Kingdom constitution
Research Briefing
Published 23 April, 2025

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No outside chatter: source material only taken from Hansard and the Parliament UK website.

Contains Parliamentary information repurposed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0.

Chapters

1. The UK Constitution part 2: Parliament (00:00:00)

2. Parliamentary sessions (00:00:45)

3. Parliamentary sovereignty (00:02:36)

4. Dissolution (00:03:57)

5. State Opening (00:04:43)

6. Scrutiny (PMQs) (00:05:46)

7. Bills process (00:06:22)

8. Statutory legislation (00:08:41)

9. Royal Perogative (00:09:17)

10. Devolution (00:10:11)

45 episodes