Parliament of Bastara
Parliament of Bastara פּאַרליאַמענט פון באַסטאַראַ | |
|---|---|
| 1st Parliament | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Houses | House of Lords House of Commons |
Term limits | None |
| History | |
| Founded | 9 June 2023 |
| Leadership | |
Judah I since 9 June 2023 | |
Lords Speaker | Vacant |
Commons Speaker | Vacant |
Vacant | |
Opposition Leader | Vacant |
| Structure | |
Lords Seats | 1 |
| Meeting place | |
| Doiwood | |
| Constitution | |
| Constitution of Bastara | |
The Parliament of Bastara is the bicameral legislative body of the Kingdom of Bastara. Parliament is bicameral but has three parts, consisting of the Monarch (King-in-Parliament), the House of Lords, and the House of Commons.
The House of Commons serves as the lower chamber and is elected. Members of the house are elected to represent single member constituencies with elections being held at least every five years using the first past the post system. By constitutional convention, the Prime Minister and their most senior ministers in the cabinet all sit in the house so they can be held to account.
The House of Lords serves as the upper chamber and consists of appointed members. The House of Lords is made up of two types of members - Lords Temporal and Lords Spiritual. Lords Temporal are members who hold peerages awarded the monarch. Lords Spiritual are Bastara's religious leaders, including the Chief Rabbi.
History
The Bastaran parliament was officially established on 9 June 2023. It was established by the Constitution of Bastara.
Composition
The legislative authority, the King-in-Parliament, has three separate elements: the Monarch, the House of Lords, and the House of Commons. No individual may be a member of both Houses. However, members of the Commons may sometimes become a member of the Lords if they become a peer after leaving the Commons.
Royal Assent of the Monarch is required for all Bills to become law. The Crown also has executive powers which do not depend on Parliament including the power to make treaties, declare war, award honours, and appoint officers and civil servants. The Monarch also appoints the Prime Minister, who then forms a government from members of the Houses of Parliament.
Duration
Constitutionally elections can be called at any time within the five year terms parliament sits for. There are no term limits for members.
Parliament also sits for sessions of one year. At the beginning of each session the monarch performs the State Opening of Parliament.
State Opening of Parliament
The State Opening of Parliament is an annual event occurring in the Lords' Chamber. It occurs when parliament first assembles after a general election.
The monarch reads a speech, known as the Speech from the Throne, which is typically prepared by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, outlining the Government's agenda for the coming year. The speech reflects the legislative agenda for which the Government intends to seek the agreement of both Houses of Parliament.
Procedure
Both Houses of Parliament have a presiding officer known as a speaker. Presiding officers are nominated by the houses in which they preside over and then are formally appointed by the monarch on the nominations from each house.
Legislative Functions
Laws can be made by Acts of Parliament. They are classed as primary legislation.
Laws, in draft form known as bills, may be introduced by any member of either House. A bill introduced by a Minister is known as a "Government Bill" and one introduced by another member is called a "Private Member's Bill".
Each bill goes through a several stage process in both houses before it passes, with the process in each house ending in the house voting. Bills need a simple majority in both houses to pass. After it has passed in parliament, the bill is submitted to the monarch to be vetoed or granted royal assent and becoming law.
Relations with Government
The Government of Bastara is answerable to parliament. Senior ministers, including the prime minister are accountable to the House of Commons - this is to allow for effective scrutiny from parliament. However, neither the Prime Minister nor members of the Government are elected by the House of Commons. Instead, the King requests the person most likely to command the support of a majority in the House, normally the leader of the largest party in the House of Commons, to form a government.
This allows the Commons to scrutinise the government via means of select committee and question time events.
Some ministers may be appointed from the House of Lords, but by constitutional convention they usually serve in junior ministerial positions.
Privileges
Being a member of either house of parliament carries privilege. Each House is the guardian of its privileges, and may punish breaches.
The primary privilege claimed by both Houses is that of absolute freedom of speech in debate; nothing said in either House may be questioned in any court or other institution outside Parliament. Another privilege claimed is that of freedom from arrest - during sittings of parliament, members of both houses are free from arrest except in cases of felony, high treason or breach of the peace.