View source for Legislatures of the United Kingdom

{{Short description|Parliamentary bodies of the United Kingdom and its component jurisdictions}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Politics of the United Kingdom}}
The '''legislatures of the United Kingdom''' are derived from a number of different sources. The [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]]<ref>Section 2 of [https://archive.today/20120805183853/http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?LegType=All+Primary&PageNumber=84&NavFrom=2&parentActiveTextDocId=1080244&ActiveTextDocId=1080244&filesize=4238 The Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act 1927] (17 Geo. V c. 4)</ref> is the supreme [[legislative body]] for the [[United Kingdom]] and the [[British overseas territories]] with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each having their own devolved legislatures. Each of the three major [[jurisdiction (area)|jurisdiction]]s of the United Kingdom ([[England and Wales]], [[Scotland]] and [[Northern Ireland]]) has its own [[Law]]s and [[legal system]].

==United Kingdom legislature==
The Parliament of the United Kingdom can enact [[Primary and secondary legislation#United Kingdom|primary legislation for the whole of the United Kingdom]]. In addition, the [[General Synod of the Church of England]] and the [[Privy Council (United Kingdom)|Privy Council]] can do so in certain limited cases.
===Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland===
[[File:Palace of Westminster - Clock Tower and New Palace Yard from the west - 240404.jpg|thumbnail|right|140px|alt=Sand-coloured building of Gothic design with large clock-tower.|The UK Parliament meets at the [[Palace of Westminster]] in [[London]].]]
[[File:United Kingdom in the British Isles.svg|right|120px]]
[[File:Map of England within the United Kingdom.svg|right|120px]]
{{main|Parliament of the United Kingdom}}
{{see also|Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Government of the United Kingdom|Local government in England|Act of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Statutory instrument (UK)|Law of the United Kingdom|English Law|Devolved, reserved and excepted matters}}
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the UK Parliament, the British Parliament, the Westminster Parliament or "Westminster", is the supreme legislative body for the United Kingdom and for English Law. It alone possesses [[legislative supremacy]] and thereby ultimate power over all other political bodies in the UK and its territories. Its head is the [[Sovereign of the United Kingdom]], currently King [[Charles III]]. Its seat is the [[Palace of Westminster]] in [[Westminster]], [[London]].

The United Kingdom Legislation may take the form of [[Act of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Act]]s, passed directly by Parliament, or [[Statutory instrument]]s, made under the authority of an Act of Parliament by either a [[government minister]] or by the [[Privy Council (United Kingdom)|King-in-Council]]. The latter are generally subject either to parliamentary approval (affirmative procedure) or parliamentary disallowance (negative procedure). The majority of Acts considered in the UK are defined as public general acts, or 'Acts of Parliament' as they will have progressed and gained approval as a Bill through both House of Commons and House of Lords, and have gained Royal Assent from the Monarch.

[[Local and personal acts of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Local and Personal Acts of Parliament]] are presented to Parliament as a result of sponsored petitions. These are processed through committees to enable relevant or affected parties to challenge or change the proposed Act. [[Prerogative instrument]]s, made by the Sovereign under the [[royal prerogative]] are another source of UK-wide legislation.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Lowe |first1=David |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rJNVDwAAQBAJ&dq=Prerogative+instruments,+made+by+the+Sovereign+under+the+royal+prerogative+are+another+source+of+UK-wide+legislation.&pg=PA3 |title=Understanding Legislation: A Practical Guide to Statutory Interpretation |last2=Potter |first2=Charlie |date=2018-04-19 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-1-78225-432-4 |language=en}}</ref> The UK Parliament is responsible for all matters relating to defence and all foreign affairs and relations with international organisations, particularly the [[United Nations]], the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] and the [[European Union]].

With there being no devolved legislature in [[England]] the UK Parliament is the supreme body for its governance, legislation, public bodies and local government.

====House of Commons====
{{See also|House of Commons of the United Kingdom}}
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It is an elected chamber consisting of 650 members, known as [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Members of Parliament]] (MPs). They are elected using the [[first past the post]] system, in single-member [[Constituencies of the Parliament of the United Kingdom|constituencies]]. From the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 general election]] 543 will be elected from [[England]], 57 from [[Scotland]], 32 from [[Wales]] and 18 from [[Northern Ireland]].

The House of Commons is now considered to be the supreme chamber of Parliament.

====House of Lords====
{{See also|House of Lords}}
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It is an unelected chamber with all members to the House of Lords being appointed. As of August 2018, there are 793 members known as "Peers". The House of Lords no longer has the same powers as the House of Commons under the [[Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949]], especially when it comes to blocking general legislation and the passing of financial legislation.

==Devolved legislatures==
{{see also|Devolution in the United Kingdom|Joint Ministerial Committee (UK)|Legislative consent motion}}

===Scottish Parliament===
[[File:Edinburgh Scottish Parliament01 2006-04-29 crop1.jpg|thumb|right|160px|The Scottish Parliament meets at [[Scottish Parliament Building|Holyrood]] in [[Edinburgh]].]]
[[File:Map of Scotland within the United Kingdom.svg|right|120px]]
{{main|Scottish Parliament}}
{{See also|First Minister of Scotland|Scottish Government|Local government in Scotland|Act of the Scottish Parliament|Scottish statutory instrument|Scots law}}
The [[Scottish Parliament]] is the national, [[unicameral]] legislature of [[Scotland]], located in the [[Holyrood, Edinburgh|Holyrood]] area of the capital, [[Edinburgh]]. The Parliament, informally referred to as "Holyrood",<ref name="HolyroodName">{{cite web|url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/education/resources/teachingResources/wordBank.htm |title=Scottish Parliament Word Bank |publisher=Scottish Parliament |access-date=14 November 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051203012812/http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/education/resources/teachingResources/wordBank.htm |archive-date=3 December 2005 }}</ref> is a democratically elected body comprising 129 members known as [[Members of the Scottish Parliament]] (MSPs). Of these 73 MSPs are elected using [[first past the post]] in single member constituencies and a further 56 MSPs are elected using the [[D'Hondt method]], a form of party-list proportional representation in eight additional member regions with each region electing 7 MSPs.

The Scottish Parliament was convened by the [[Scotland Act 1998]], which sets out its powers as a [[devolved]] legislature. The Act delineates the legislative competence of the Parliament{{spaced ndash}}the areas in which it can make [[Scots law|laws]]{{spaced ndash}}by explicitly specifying powers that are "[[Devolved, reserved and excepted matters|reserved]]" to the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]]: all matters that are not explicitly reserved are automatically the responsibility of the Scottish Parliament.<ref name="SpecifiedReservations">{{cite web |url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts1998/80046--t.htm#sch5 |title=Scotland Act 1998: Scottish Parliament Reserved Issues |publisher=Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) |access-date=14 November 2006|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070519074917/http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts1998/80046--t.htm#sch5 |archive-date =19 May 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> The British Parliament retains the ability to amend the terms of reference of the Scottish Parliament, and can extend or reduce the areas in which it can make laws.<ref>Murkens, Jones & Keating (2002) pp11</ref> The first meeting of the new Parliament took place on 12 May 1999.<ref name="FirstMeeting">{{cite web|url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-99/or010104.htm#Col7 |title=Scottish Parliament Official Report – 12 May 1999 |publisher=Scottish Parliament |access-date=5 November 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226162954/http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-99/or010104.htm#Col7 |archive-date=26 February 2008 }}</ref>

The [[Scottish Statutory Instrument]]s made by the [[Scottish Government]] are another source of legislation. As with Statutory Instruments made by the British government, these are generally subject to either approval or disallowance by the Scottish Parliament

=== Senedd ===
[[File:Senedd, Welsh parliament, Cardiff Bay.jpg|thumb|right|160px|The Welsh Parliament meets in [[Cardiff]].]]
[[File:Map of Wales within the United Kingdom.svg|right|120px]]
{{Main|Senedd}}
{{See also|First Minister of Wales|Welsh Government|Local government in Wales|Act of Senedd Cymru|Welsh law}}
The [[Senedd]] (Welsh Parliament; {{Langx|cy|Senedd Cymru}}) has the power to make legislation in Wales. The parliament was created by the [[Government of Wales Act 1998]], which followed a [[1997 Welsh devolution referendum|referendum]] in 1997. It is a democratically elected body with 60 members known as [[Members of the Senedd]] (MSs). Of these 40 MSs are elected using [[first past the post]] in single member constituencies and a further 20 MSs are elected using the [[D'Hondt method]], a form of party-list proportional representation in five additional member regions with each region electing 4 MSs.<ref name="auto">{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-12648649 | work=BBC News | title=Wales says Yes in referendum vote | date=4 March 2011}}</ref>

The Senedd had no powers to initiate [[primary legislation]] until limited law-making powers were gained through the [[Government of Wales Act 2006]]. Its primary law-making powers were enhanced following a Yes vote in the [[2011 Welsh devolution referendum|referendum]] on 3 March 2011, making it possible for it to [[Act of the Senedd|legislate]] in the 20 areas that are devolved without having to consult the [[UK Parliament]], nor the [[Secretary of State for Wales]].<ref name="auto"/> The Senedd may delegate authority to enact legislation through Welsh Statutory Instruments. Under the [[Wales Act 2017]] the Senedd came into line with Scotland and Northern Ireland and moved to a reserved powers model.

===Northern Ireland Assembly===
[[File:Stormont Parliamentary Building 01.JPG|thumb|right|160px|The Northern Ireland Assembly meets at [[Parliament Buildings (Northern Ireland)|Stormont]] in [[Belfast]].]]
[[File:Map of Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom.svg|right|120px]]
{{Main|Northern Ireland Assembly}}
{{See also|First Minister and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland|Northern Ireland Executive|Local government in Northern Ireland|Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly|Law of Northern Ireland}}
The Northern Ireland Assembly is the [[devolved]] legislature of [[Northern Ireland]] which is a democratically elected body comprising 90<ref>After the March 2017 elections, previously 108.
</ref> members known as [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (Northern Ireland)|Members of the Legislative Assembly]] (MLAs). The 90 MLAs are elected using the [[single transferable vote]] across the 18 [[List of parliamentary constituencies in Northern Ireland|Westminster Parliamentary constituencies]] with each constituency electing 5 MLAs. It was established in 1998 as part of the [[Good Friday Agreement]] which was approved by the public in [[1998 Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement referendum|referendums which were held in both Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland]].

It has power to legislate in a wide range of areas that are not explicitly [[reserved and excepted matters|reserved]] to the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and to appoint the [[Northern Ireland Executive]]. It sits at [[Parliament Buildings (Northern Ireland)|Parliament Buildings]] at [[Stormont, Belfast|Stormont]] in [[Belfast]]. Legislation of the Assembly empowers the Northern Ireland Executive to issue [[Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland|Statutory Rules]] in a variety of areas.

The Assembly was dissolved on 26 January 2017 owing to a breakdown of trust which brought down both the Assembly and Executive. In January 2020, [[Arlene Foster]] resumed her post as First Minister.

==European Union (1973–2020) ==
{{Politics of the European Union}}
{{main|Law of the European Union|European Union legislative procedure|Brexit}}
The United Kingdom became a member state of the [[European Union]] (EU) when it joined what was originally known as the [[European Communities]] on 1 January 1973. By virtue of the [[European Communities Act 1972 (UK)|European Communities Act 1972]], [[EU law]] applied in the UK, in effect becoming another source of UK legislation. [[Brexit|The UK left the EU]] on  31 January 2020, though EU law were still applicable in the UK until the end of the [[Brexit withdrawal agreement|implementation period]] on 31 December 2020.

===The European Parliament===
{{main|European Parliament}}
The European Parliament (EP) is the [[directly elected]] parliamentary [[institution of the European Union]]. Together with the [[Council of the European Union]] (the council) and the [[European Commission]], it exercises the legislative function of the EU. The Parliament is composed of 751 [[Members of the European Parliament]] (MEPs), who represent the second-largest democratic electorate in the world (after the [[Parliament of India]]) and the largest trans-national democratic electorate in the world (375&nbsp;million eligible [[voters]] in 2009).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/07/AR2009060702402.html |title=Conservatives Post Gains in European Elections |author1=Brand, Constant  |author2=Wielaard, Robert |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=The Washington Post |date= 8 June 2009|access-date=17 August 2010}}</ref>

The United Kingdom between 1979 and 2020 used to elect members to the European Parliament, of these a number were elected using the [[D'Hondt method]], a form of party-list proportional representation in 11 former regional constituencies in [[England]], [[Scotland]] and [[Wales]] while in [[Northern Ireland]] 3 MEPs were elected using the [[single transferable vote]] in a single national constituency. With the exit of the United Kingdom from the EU all legislation that provided for the holding of elections to the [[European Parliament]] as well as the position of Member of the European Parliament (MEP) within the UK was repealed by the [[European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018]].

==The historical legislatures==
* [[Parliament of England]] (13th century to 1707)
* [[Parliament of Scotland]] (13th century to 1707)
* [[Parliament of Ireland]] (13th century to 1800)
* [[Parliament of Great Britain]] (1707–1800)
* [[Parliament of Northern Ireland]] (1921–1972)

==See also==
*[[United Kingdom constitutional law]]
*[[List of legislation in the United Kingdom]]
*[[Acts of Parliament of the United Kingdom relating to the European Communities and the European Union]]

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ UK legislation] by [[The National Archives (United Kingdom)|The National Archives]]/[[His Majesty's Stationery Office]]

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[[Category:Devolution in the United Kingdom]]
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