Key Stage 4 Government & Democracy
Years 10 and 11 Making Law
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Lesson Plan
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Teachers Notes
Making Law
Who is responsible for making the law?
All societies have to make policy choices, confront problems, resolve conflicts, handle disagreements, decide who gets what and how. Someone has to make decisions in order that any country can function properly and this is why politics and politicians are important.
Part of this decision making process also involves making law to ensure that all of the citizens living in a country can feel safe and protected.
The governance of a modern society is a huge task and at the heart of the British political process is the Government of the day (headed by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet).
Parliament
The Parliament of the UK actually consists of :
- The Queen
- The House of Lords
- The House of Commons
They all work together to carry out the work of Parliament and an introduction to Parliament is available on the UK Parliament website (www.parliament.uk/works/index.cfm)
Government
The Government can be described as the manager of the country as it is its job to make many of the important day-to-day decisions. These decisions do, however, have to be agreed by Parliament.
The Government is formed by the political party that wins the majority of seats in the House of Commons at a general election.
Information on how the Government is accountable is available on the UK Parliament website (www.parliament.uk/works/account.cfm).
Party System
Political Parties are formed by groups of people who are united in agreeing a set of policies. They have similar ideas on how the nation should be governed and band together to achieve that view.
Further information about the existing party systems within the UK is available on the UK Parliament website (www.parliament.uk/works/pagovopp.cfm#party).
The number of seats held by each party in the current Parliament can be found on the Parliament website (www.parliament.uk/directories/hcio/stateparties.cfm) and the websites for the 3 main political parties can be accessed via the links below:
Suggested Teaching Activity
Teaching Ideas
The Parliamentary website contains a teachers' section (www.explore.parliament.uk/Parliament.aspx?id=17) which is suitable for use with students aged 14-16.
Video Discussion
Parliament Uncovered (www.parliament.uk/directories/educationunit.cfm#Audio) is a new video that has been produced by the Parliamentary Education Unit and is suitable for informing a teenage audience about Parliament. The programme is suitable for 14 - 18 year olds and is accompanied by a teachers' leaflet, which offers a brief synopsis, list of issues raised and important terms covered.
On-line Guide
The 10 Downing Street website (www.number-10.gov.uk/output/page39.asp) contains useful information about Downing Street and British politics. It also gives you a behind the scenes glimpse into a day in the life of the Prime Minister.
Further Information
The Parliamentary Education Unit produces fact sheets (www.parliament.uk/directories/educationunit.cfm#) written on a range of subjects including:
- The House of Commons
- Parliament and Government
- The House of Lords
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How are politicians elected?
Background Notes
Being allowed to vote is very important as it gives you the chance to have your say.
Fair and free elections are an essential part of a democracy, allowing the majority of citizens to determine how they would like the country to be run.
Elections enable the electorate to participate in choosing the government and help to make the government accountable to the people.
If you click on the following headings, you will be connected to further teaching information on the UK Parliament website:
Suggested Teaching Activity
Factsheets and Wallcharts
The Parliamentary website produces a fact sheet on Parliamentary Elections (www.explore.parliament.uk/cms/DocumentUploads/teacherses01.pdf).
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How does a Bill become an Act of Parliament?
Background Notes
This country has a set of rules, some of which set standards for our personal behaviour. Rules such as these are called 'law'.
Today, the law is made by Parliament, whose elected members from time to time produce statutes or Acts of Parliament that the rest of society must then follow.
The term 'law' is used in many senses, however, in this case we are looking at the law of a state and we could therefore say that it is: a rule of human conduct, imposed upon and enforced among the members of a given state.
English law is one of the great systems of the world and one-third of all mankind is today ruled by laws that came originally from here. As England developed into the United Kingdom, Parliament's activites affect the UK as a whole.
Following the passing of the Scotland Act in 1998 the Scottish Parliament was formed - the first one in Scotland since 1707. The Scottish Parliament is responsible for matters solely affecting Scotland and Scottish members are still involved with matters affecting the UK as a whole.
Similar laws were also passed (The Government of Wales Act 1998 and the National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Functions) Order 1999) to allow the National Assembly for Wales to take responsibility for Welsh matters. Like Scotland, Wales is still governed by UK law and Welsh MPs still sit in the House of Commons.
From a Bill to Act of Parliament
Before an idea can become law, it needs to be submitted for consideration to Parliament in a draft version called a Bill.
There are 3 different types of bill:
- public - these concern measures that affect public policy and are introduced by Government
- private members- these affect the public but these bills are introduced by backbench MP's
- private - these are introduced to produce legislation that will give powers to particular groups
Before a Bill can become an Act of Parliament, it must go through several different stages of drafting and discussion:
- First reading - this is a mere formality where the title of the bill is read out along with the name of MP introducing it
- Second reading - at this time the purpose and policy of the Bill are explained in debate and a vote is taken. If a majority vote in favour of the bill it will progress to the next stage.
- Committee stage - this is a time-saving mechanism where a committee of MPs study the bill in detail as it is more efficient for a small group to discuss the details of the bill rather than the whole chamber.
- Report stage - the Chair of the Committee reports to the House of Commons and any suggested amendments are voted on
- Third reading - this is the final review stage in the House of Commons
- House of Lords stage - the bill goes through the whole same process again in the House of Lords and they can suggest any necessary amendments
- Royal Assent - the bill must be agreed by the monarch - which nowadays is a formality. Once assent has been given the bill becomes an Act of Parliament and is effective from a specified date
Suggested Teaching Activity
Factsheets and Wallcharts
The Parliamentary website produces pamphlets on Making Law (www.explore.parliament.uk/cms/DocumentUploads/teacherses04.pdf) and Debates in Parliament (www.explore.parliament.uk/cms/DocumentUploads/teacherses05.pdf).
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How can I have my say?
Background Information
Although you are not allowed to vote in a general election until you are 18, there are lots of different ways that you can have your say.
If there is a local issue that you are not happy with you can write to your local council or MP with your views. You could actually rally your friends into action if there is something in society that you think needs changing.
Just remember things can change and you can change them.
Suggested Teaching Activity
Interaction and Question setting
There are interactive activities on the 10 Downing Street website (www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page1.asp). The site contains information about ways in which we can all make a difference in society and allows you to put your questions to a different Minister every month.
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