How well does the UK Parliament perform its functions?
… One of these is legislation; it makes laws and can also repeal them as it pleases. The fact that ministers and devolved assemblies can make laws is simply because Parliament allows them to, and can retract this power at any time; known as Parliamentary sovereignty. No other law-making body (other than the European Parliament) can challenge Parliament’s authority. A way in which Parliament performs its legislative function well is that the elected representatives (the Commons) have the most power, and are the ones that draft, debate and vote on bills. The unelected Lords cannot stop a bill passing if the Commons wish it so. This is good for democracy as it makes sure that the power is in the hands of the people, and as such Parliament performs its legislative function well. However, Parliament also has problems that affect this crucial function. The sheer fact that the Lords, who are unelected, …
