Question
What are the key differences between the UK Government and Parliament?
Answer
The UK Government and Parliament are two distinct entities within the UK’s political system, each with unique roles and functions. Understanding their differences is crucial for grasping how the UK is governed.
Key Differences
Composition and Structure:
Parliament: Composed of the House of Commons, House of Lords, and the Crown, Parliament is the supreme legal authority in the UK. It is responsible for making and passing laws (John, 2021; Elliott and Thomas, 2020).
Government: Formed by the political party (or coalition) that has the majority in the House of Commons, the Government is led by the Prime Minister and includes ministers who run government departments (John, 2021; Baldini, Bressanelli and Massetti, 2021).
Roles and Functions:
Parliament: Its primary role is to debate political issues, scrutinize the Government, and pass legislation. It acts as a check on the Government’s power, ensuring accountability and transparency (John, 2021; John, 2021; Elliott and Thomas, 2020).
Government: Responsible for implementing laws and running the country. It sets policies and makes decisions on national issues, often with significant influence over Parliament due to its majority (John, 2021; Baldini, Bressanelli and Massetti, 2021).
Powers:
Parliament: Holds legislative power and is considered ‘sovereign,’ meaning it can make or repeal any law. However, its sovereignty is sometimes challenged by the Government’s dominance (Elliott and Thomas, 2020).
Government: Holds executive power, executing and enforcing laws. It often dominates Parliament due to party discipline and the majority it holds in the House of Commons (Baldini, Bressanelli and Massetti, 2021; Dávid-Barrett, 2022).
Accountability:
Parliament: Holds the Government to account through questioning, debates, and committees. It can challenge and influence government decisions, although this is sometimes limited by the Government’s control (Neal, 2020; Fleming and James, 2022).
Government: Accountable to Parliament and, ultimately, to the electorate. It must maintain the confidence of the House of Commons to stay in power (John, 2021; Baldini, Bressanelli and Massetti, 2021).
In summary, the UK Government and Parliament have distinct roles within the political system. Parliament is the legislative body responsible for making laws and holding the Government accountable, while the Government is the executive body responsible for implementing laws and running the country. Despite Parliament’s theoretical sovereignty, the Government often exerts significant influence due to its majority in the House of Commons.
References
John, P., 2021. 3. Debating Politics and Making Laws. British Politics. https://doi.org/10.1093/hepl/9780198840626.003.0003
John, P., 2021. 1. The Starting Point. British Politics. https://doi.org/10.1093/hepl/9780198840626.003.0001
Neal, A., 2020. The Parliamentarisation of Security in the UK and Australia. Parliamentary Affairs. https://doi.org/10.1093/pa/gsaa012
Baldini, G., Bressanelli, E., & Massetti, E., 2021. Back to the Westminster model? The Brexit process and the UK political system. International Political Science Review, 43, pp. 329 – 344. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192512120967375
Fleming, T., & James, L., 2022. Parliamentary Influence on Brexit Legislation, 2017–2019. Parliamentary Affairs. https://doi.org/10.1093/pa/gsac014
Dávid-Barrett, E., 2022. Shirking Self-Regulation? Parliamentary Standards in the UK. Public Integrity. https://doi.org/10.1080/10999922.2022.2075632
Elliott, M., & Thomas, R., 2020. 6. The UK Parliament. **, pp. 181-272. https://doi.org/10.1093/he/9780198836742.003.0006
