“A BODY OF F IVE HUN DRE D MEN CHOSEN AT RAN DOM F ROM AMON GST THE UN E MP L OYED.” David Lloyd George on the House of Lords The winner takes it all To be elected to public office in Britain a candidate must simply secure more votes than their nearest rival – the so-called First Past The Post (FPTP) system They don’t need an overall majority of the total votes cast First amongst equals The role of Prime Minister has evolved over time Traditionally seen as primus inter pares or ‘first amongst equals’ – in other words, no more senior than other MPs – many would concede that the Prime Ministerial persona is becoming increasingly presidential Prime Minister’s official residence Periodically the Prime Minister ‘reshuffles’ the Cabinet, sacking, promoting or moving ministers The Opposition, meanwhile, form a Shadow Cabinet The House of Lords, around 750 strong, checks and revises the laws proposed in the House of Commons Usually deemed more independent than the Commons (peers (lords) are more inclined to ignore the party whip; many aren’t even aligned to a political party), its members have a wider expertise Although they can delay legislation – possibly long enough to get it withdrawn by the Government – peers don’t have the power of veto on proposed laws and they can’t approve Government taxation or spending The House of Commons, its Labour contingent in particular, has pushed to modernise the House of Lords (and in some votes, abolish it entirely – because most peers are appointed rather than elected) throughout the last century Bully boys Each party in the Commons appoints a Chief Whip, with the status of a senior minister, and assistant whips They’re charged with ensuring a Government majority in House votes MPs are instructed by whips on when to attend; a ‘three-line whip’ means attendance is essential Errant MPs may have the whip withdrawn – the equivalent of being expelled from the party The Speaker chairs the House of Commons, deciding which MPs speak when and ensuring the rules are followed The Speaker is chosen by fellow MPs at the start of each new Parliament or when a previous Speaker retires or dies 332 Identity: the foundations of British culture Literature and philosophy Art, architecture and design Performing arts Cinema, photography and fashion Media and communications Food and drink Living culture: the state of modern Britain