There are two legislative houses here in the UK Government; the House of Commons and the House of Lords. These two Houses make up Parliament.
House of Commons
|
House of Lords
|
Both Houses can introduce bills, but the House of Lords aren't allowed to propose a bill that is related to tax or finance. The House of Commons debate the major political issues of the day and discuss proposals for new laws. On the other hand, the House of Lords debates new laws that have been introduced by the Members of Parliament and they think of ways to improve those laws. If they do suggest improvements, it goes back to the House of Commons where they discuss these new changes.
While considering if whether or not to pass a bill, the most important thing on their mind is their constituents and citizens and what would please them. Of course, it is hard to please everybody, but they need to think about which would make the majority of their voters happy, as they want to keep voters for the next elections.
While considering if whether or not to pass a bill, the most important thing on their mind is their constituents and citizens and what would please them. Of course, it is hard to please everybody, but they need to think about which would make the majority of their voters happy, as they want to keep voters for the next elections.
How do bills get passed?
- Once a bill has been introduced, it get's read for the first time. This is something that is done as a form of etiquette.
- At the second reading, the bill can be debated, or if necessary, rejected.
- Next, the bill gets sent off to each House, where both must agree.
- When the third reading begins, the House of Lords can make further amendments. They then must vote as to whether or not the bill is to be passed.
- If the House of Lords passes the bill, then it gets sent to the House of Commons, where they must also pass the bill for it to become a law.
- When both Houses have passed it, it may be prevented for the Royal Assent. The Royal Assent is when a Monarch agree's to pass the bill.
Recently, the UK Government has been taken more interest in people's copyrights and have introduced a new law. The 'Instagram Act' is a bill that has just been passed by the UK Government. Originally, if you ever took a photo, it was automatically your property. If somebody used your image without asking permission, you could take them to court. Also, if you had a picture, let's say, of a bird that you then posted on Google, but it doesn't have your name on it, it was still protected under copyright law that prevented people from using it. Photo's without the owner's name on it are called orphan works. Now though, due to this new bill that has just been passed, if somebody comes across an orphan work, they can just take it, and use it for themselves, without having to worry about getting taken to court and being sued. If you have posted something on Google, or on any other site and you haven't got your name on it, anybody anywhere in the world could be using it and calling it their own. How do you feel about that? Hopefully, you'll start thinking twice about what you post on the internet!