The Queen, the Queen Mother, Prince Charles and the other members of the royal family take part in traditional ceremonies , visit different parts of Britain and many other countries and are closely involved in the work of many charities. Parliament Parliament, Britain's legislature, is made up of the House of Commons , the House of Lords and the Queen in her constitutional role. The House of Lords is made up of 1,185 hereditary and life peers and peeresses, and the two archbishops and the 24 most senior bishops of the established Church of England. The center of parliamentary power is the House of Commons. Once passed through both Houses, legislation requires the Royal Assent to become law.
Parliament has a number of ways to exert control over the executive branch.
Parliamentary committees question ministers and civil servants before preparing reports on matters of public policy and issues can be debated before decisions are reached. However, ultimate power rests in the ability of the House of Commons to force the government to resign by passing a resolution of 'no confidence'. The government must also resign if the House rejects a proposal so vital to its policy that it has made it a matter of confidence. The proceedings of both Houses of Parliament are broadcast on television and radio, sometimes live or more usually in recorded and edited form. General elections to choose MPs must be held at least every five years.