The House of Commons: Composition and Role

The House of Commons is the elected, dominant chamber of the UK Parliament. It is the chamber from which the government is formed, where legislation is primarily debated and passed, and where the most visible forms of executive accountability take place. This lesson examines the composition, role, and effectiveness of the House of Commons.

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Composition

The House of Commons consists of 650 Members of Parliament (MPs), each representing a single geographic constituency across the United Kingdom. MPs are elected at general elections using First Past the Post (FPTP).

How MPs Are Elected

• Each constituency elects one MP.
• The candidate with the most votes wins (a plurality, not necessarily a majority).
• FPTP tends to produce single-party majority governments but can produce disproportional results.

Who Becomes an MP?

To stand for election, a candidate must be:

• At least 18 years old.
• A British, Irish, or qualifying Commonwealth citizen.
• Not disqualified (e.g. serving prisoners, members of the House of Lords, holders of certain offices).