The UK is a democracy, which means every citizen over the age of 18 can vote on how they would like the country to be run. In a General Election, you’ll be given a choice on who you can vote for to be your local Member of Parliament.
There are 650 MPs who together make up the House of Commons at Parliament. MPs are typically seen in the Commons chamber, with the party in Government sitting on one side and the parties making up the opposition sitting on the other. Here laws and other major decisions affecting the country are debated and voted upon. Usually, the party making up the Government will win the votes, simply because they have more MPs. Not always though, which is when it gets interesting.
MPs represent their constituents and if those constituents let them know they’re unhappy with a piece of legislation, an MP may go against their party’s policies. This is one of the times that making your voice heard can make a real difference.
The House of Lords is the second chamber of the UK Parliament. It complements the work of the Commons, playing an essential role in making laws, keeping a check on government activities and investigating policy issues. Both Houses have to agree on the wording of a law before it can come into force.
Although the public do not elect the Lords, there are ministers and frontbench spokespersons amongst its 750 members. If you want a topic raised, a change made to a law or to instigate an investigation into a policy area, there are experts on hand to help.