Importance Of Parliamentary Sovereignty

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Recommended: The Doctrine of Parliamentary Sovereignty

Does Parliamentary Sovereignty still reign supreme? Emerged in an era of globalization, where international cooperation is ever increasing, and the creation of supranational institutions ties the economic and political interests of nations together. It is hard for Britons to not talk about parliamentary sovereignty and its perceived decline in recent years. Now many may wonder why losing parliamentary sovereignty is such a big deal, what does parliamentary sovereignty have to do with our daily lives? In effect, parliamentary sovereignty is irrevocably stitched to democracy, which resides at the core of British contemporary politics. And with democracy comes freedom of choice, our choice to decide the laws under which we are to be governed …show more content…

Like the House of Commons, it plays a fundamental role in Britain’s bicameral legislature. As the upper house, its core function is to scrutinise, advise and amend parliamentary bills before they pass into law. Similarly, the House of Lords serves a valuable function by providing national forum of debate free from the constraints of party discipline. Currently, there are 779 members (including 182 women), also known as peers. Most of which are appointed on the recommendation of the prime minister or on the advice of the House of Lords Appointments Commission. This is usually along party lines, although some are non-political experts in their fields, such as prominent scientists and generals. Twenty-six peers are senior Church of England bishops. Another 92 are hereditary peers, the remnants of the group who once made up the entire membership. The House of Lords is known for rigorously checking the detail of a bill, working to address potential problems and close any loopholes to make better, more effective laws. Its amendments may or may not be agreed by the House of Commons, but the Lords has a crucial ability to ask the government and Commons to think again and, in some cases, put forward alternative amendments in

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