What is Parliament?
Parliament is the group of people who make laws for the United Kingdom. It's like the brain of the country—it decides what rules everyone should follow.
Parliament has two houses: the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Think of them as two teams working together to make sure new laws are fair and sensible.
Think of it like a school council. The council suggests new rules, discusses them, and votes on which ones are best.
The House of Commons
The House of Commons has 650 Members of Parliament (called MPs18, you get to vote for your local MP.
The Prime Minister leads the government and sits in the House of Commons. The Prime Minister is usually the leader of the political party with the most MPs.
The House of Lords
The House of Lords has around 800 members who are appointed (chosen) rather than elected. Many are experts in different subjects like law, science, or business. Their job is to review new laws and make sure they're fair.
Think of it like having experienced teachers check homework before it's graded. They spot mistakes and suggest improvements.
How Laws Are Made
Making a law takes a long time. An MP comes up with an idea for a new law called a bill. It's debated in the House of Commons, then the House of Lords checks it, and finally the Monarch (the King or Queen) officially approves it.
Why We Need Parliament
You can't ask every person in the UK about every decision. Parliament lets elected representatives speak for their communities. It's called democracy—government by the people.
Parliament makes laws about schools, hospitals, roads, taxes, and almost everything that affects our lives. Without Parliament, one person would have too much power.