Should parliamentary procedures be modernised?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe some of the traditional procedures in Parliament and consider if these procedures need to be modernised.
Key learning points
- Traditional procedures are embedded in Parliament through the State Opening of Parliament and in the day-to-day running.
- Some traditions in Parliament include: guards checking cellars, role of Black Rod, Speaker, prayers.
- Some traditions could stay the same to celebrate history or could be modernised, like voting in Scottish Parliament.
Keywords
Parliament - the institution of government in the UK; it comprises of three parts: the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the monarch; its purpose is to debate, make laws and scrutinise the Government
House of Commons - an elected body currently consisting of 650 members of Parliament, where MPs debate, make laws and scrutinise the Government; it is the lower house of Parliament and meets in the Palace of Westminster
House of Lords - the upper house of Parliament, composed of life peers and hereditary peers, who scrutinise the bills approved by the House of Commons; the House of Lords meets in the Palace of Westminster
Common misconception
Parliamentary procedures and traditions are old-fashioned and have no meaning in modern society.
The traditions in Parliament exist for important reasons and serve to highlight the democratic principles that shape our society.
Teacher tip
Show pupils a recording of a State Opening of Parliament to really understand and see what the traditions are about.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.How many parts is Parliament made up of?
Q2.What is the primary role of the UK Parliament?
Q3.The House of is the unelected chamber in the UK Parliament.
Q4.Which of these are a responsibility of the Speaker in Parliament?
Q5.Which of the following people are generally not allowed in the House of Commons?
Q6.Match the term to its correct definition.
an elected member of the House of Commons
a member of the unelected House of Lords
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Who checks the cellars during the State Opening of Parliament?
Q2.Black Rod is responsible for order in the House of …
Q3.Which of the following Parliamentary procedures do some people believe do not represent the UK's multi-faith population?
Q4.Place the following steps for voting in the House of Commons in the correct order.
Q5.Some people believe that Parliamentary procedures should not be modernised. One reason they might give is that they are a reminder of our system.
Q6.Match the sentence starter to its end.
government, it is comprised of three parts.
elected body currently consisting of 650 MPs.
the upper house of Parliament, composed of life and hereditary peers.
To help you plan your 11 citizenship lesson on: Should parliamentary procedures be modernised?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 citizenship lesson on: Should parliamentary procedures be modernised?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 citizenship lessons from the What is the nature of the British Constitution? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.