THE BRITISH PARLIMENTThe word parliament comes from the French verb parler, to talk. The British have used this name since the 13th century. It represents the idea that the monarch should talk with and listen to ordinary people.
The British Parliament has developed over hundreds of years. It started with a group of nobles to advise the king. Today it consists of the monarch and two houses of Parliament- the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The House of Commons has got 646 members, known as Members of Parliament(MPs). Local residents vote for an MP ot represent them. The House of Lords consists of noblemen. Until recently, membership tot he House of Lords passed from father to son-when a nobleman died, his eldest son took his place in the House.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the monarchy and the House of Lords began to get weaker. In 1999, the House of Lords Act changed the parliamentary system so that most nobles lost their right to sit and vote in the House. Instead, people receive titles from the Queen for their contribution to society and it isn't a hereditary honour any more to sit in the House.
Over the years, Parliament has become more representative of the people. Today, everyone over the age of 18 has got the rigfht to vote for an MP to represent them in Parliament.
Answer the questions
1.What is the root of the word parliament?-It comes from the French verb parler, to talk.-
2.What was the job of the earliest Parliament?-It represents the idea that the monarch should talk with and listen to ordinary people.-
3.How does someone become an MP?-The Local residents vote an MP-
4.How did the House of Lords Act change the parliamentary system?-Most nobles lost their right to sit and vote in the House.-
5.From what age can people in Britain vote?-At the age of eighteen.-
