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Podcast

THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

The House of Commons is the name of the elected lower house of the parliaments of the United Kingdom and Canada. Historically, there have also been Houses of Commons in Ireland and North Carolina. The House of Commons holds much more legislative power than the upper house of the parliament. The Commons’ functions include considering and debating about new laws and changes to existing ones, authorizing taxes, and scrutinizing the Government’s policy and expenditure. It has also the power to pass a vote of no confidence therefore removing the Government.

The British House of Commons was created to serve as the political power and voice for the common people. Members of Parliament take their seats on the green leather benches according to their party and position. One of the MPs is chosen to be the Speaker – a person who acts as a chairperson of the debates taking place in the House. The MPs of the biggest party sit in front of and on the right of the Speaker and are faced by the MPs of the opposing parties, the Opposition. The leaders of the two groups sit at the front on each side, while less significant MPs, called backbenchers, sit behind their leaders at the back.

The biggest party forms the government with the Prime Minister as the leader who sits on the government front bench next to his or her ministers. The Cabinet gathers the most important ministers of the government. The one responsible for relations with other countries is the Foreign Secretary and the one taking care of law and security is called the Home Secretary. Financial matters are dealt with by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who prepares the annual speech on the economic state of the country. Opposite the Cabinet sits the Leader of the Opposition, i.e. the leader of the largest party opposing the government, together with the Shadow Cabinet, whose members specialize in particular areas of government.

The Canadian House of Commons is a democratically elected body which consists of 308 Members of Parliament. Each of 308 members of the house represents a single electoral district, also called a riding. In practice, the house holds much more power than the upper house, the Senate. Although legislation requires the approval of both houses, the Senate very seldom rejects bills already passed by the Commons. What is more, the Government of Canada is responsible to the House of Commons and the Prime Minister holds office only as long as he or she retains the support of the house.

During debates, members may only speak if called upon by the Speaker who is responsible for ensuring that members of all parties have an opportunity to be heard. The Speaker also determines who is to speak if two or more members rise simultaneously. Speeches may be made in either of Canada's official languages, English or French. Members must address their speeches to the presiding officer, not the House, using the words “Mr. Speaker” or “Madam Speaker.” Other members must be referred to in the third person. Traditionally, Members do not refer to each other by name, but by constituency or cabinet post, using forms such as “the honourable member for…” or “the Minister of…”

No member may speak more than once on the same question. Repetitive or irrelevant remarks are prohibited, as is reading remarks written beforehand. When the debate comes to an end, the motion in question is put to a vote. The House first votes by voice vote - the presiding officer puts the question, and members respond either "yea" (in favor of the motion) or "nay" (against the motion). The outcome of most votes is usually known before the voting, since political parties normally instruct members on how to vote. Thus, the independence of Members of Parliament is usually extremely low, and “backbench rebellions” by members not satisfied with their party's policies are rare. Still, in some circumstances, parties announce “free votes,” which allow Members to vote as they please.

VOCABULARY
the lower house – izba niższa
legislative power – władza ustawodawcza
the upper house – izba wyższa
authorizing taxes – zatwierdzanie podatków
scrutinizing the Government’s policy and expenditure – nadzorowanie polityki i wydatków rządu
a vote of no confidence – wotum nieufności
a chairperson - przewodniczący
a backbencher – szeregowy deputowany
the Cabinet – Rada Ministrów
the Foreign Secretary - minister spraw zagranicznych
the Home Secretary – minister spraw wewnętrznych
the Chancellor of the Exchequer – minister finansów
the Shadow Cabinet – gabinet cieni
an electoral district – okręg wyborczy
to pass/to reject bills – przyjąć/odrzucić ustawę
to hold office – piastować urząd
to refer to in the third person – zwracać się w trzeciej osobie
a constituency – okręg wyborczy
a cabinet post – stanowisko ministerialne
written beforehand – napisane wcześniej, z wyprzedzeniem
a motion - wniosek
to put to a vote – poddać pod głosowanie
voice vote – głosowanie przez aklamację
a rebellion – rebelia, bunt
in some circumstances – w pewnych okolicznościach


Załączone obrazy:
the British House of Commonsthe Canadian House of Commons
Załączone ścieżki dźwiękowe:
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