Discuss the power lies within the Parliament in UK and whether the power of parliament had been limited in the present day.
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The power lies within the Parliament in the UK is derived from the UK's constitutional system, which is based on parliamentary sovereignty. Parliament is the supreme legislative body and holds the authority to make and pass laws, debate key issues, scrutinize the government, and provide representation to the people.
Parliament consists of two houses: the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The House of Commons is composed of elected Members of Parliament (MPs) and is considered the more powerful chamber. The Prime Minister is also a member of the House of Commons and is typically the leader of the party with majority seats. The House of Lords, on the other hand, is an unelected chamber comprised of appointed members, including life peers, bishops, and hereditary peers.
Traditionally, the power of Parliament has been broad and extensive. It has the authority to pass laws, control public spending, debate and approve government policies, and hold the executive branch accountable through questioning and scrutiny. Parliament also plays a crucial role in the legislative process, where bills are introduced, debated, and amended before becoming law.
However, it can be argued that the power of Parliament has been limited in the present day. The UK's relationship with the European Union (EU) and the impact of devolution are two key factors that have influenced this limitation.
The UK's membership in the EU resulted in the transfer of certain powers to supranational institutions, such as the European Commission and the European Court of Justice. This means that decisions on certain policies, such as trade and competition, are made at the EU level rather than by Parliament. In recent years, with the UK's decision to leave the EU, there has been an ongoing debate about how much control Parliament should regain over these areas.
Devolution, which granted varying degrees of self-governance to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, has also limited the power of the UK Parliament. Some policy areas, such as health and education, are now under the control of devolved administrations. This has resulted in a more fragmented system, where decisions are made both at the UK Parliament level and within the devolved administrations.
Furthermore, the political dominance of the executive branch, particularly the Prime Minister, can sometimes limit the power of Parliament. The Prime Minister has considerable control over their party and the legislative agenda, which can influence the outcome of debates and the passage of legislation.
In conclusion, while Parliament in the UK holds significant power, there have been certain limitations to its authority in the present day. The UK's relationship with the EU and devolution have both played a role in restricting the scope of parliamentary power. However, Parliamentary sovereignty remains a fundamental principle, and the ongoing debate surrounding these issues continues to shape the balance of power within the UK's constitutional system.