Welcome to Decision-Making in a Democracy!
Have you ever wondered who decides how much money goes to your local school, who fixes local parks, or who decides foreign policy? In a democracy, decisions are not made by just one person. Instead, power is shared across different levels of government.
In this chapter of Unit 1: Democracy in Action, you will learn how decisions are made in Northern Ireland and across the UK, who represents you at each level, and how a new idea turns into an official law. Don't worry if political terms seem confusing at first—we will break down each concept step by step!
1. The Three Layers of Government
Power in the United Kingdom is split across three main tiers. Think of it like a school: you have classroom helpers for immediate room tasks, heads of year for year-group rules, and the principal who oversees the entire school.
Tier 1: Local Councils (District and City Councils)
This is the level closest to your everyday life. Local councils handle practical community services, including:
• Refuse and recycling: Household bin collections and local tips.
• Leisure and community facilities: Public swimming pools, parks, and community centres.
• Planning and zoning: Deciding whether local buildings or house extensions can be built.
• Environmental health and registration services: Food safety checks in local restaurants and registering births, deaths, and marriages.
Tier 2: Devolved Government (The Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont)
Devolution is the transfer of specific decision-making powers from the central UK Parliament in London to regional parliaments and assemblies in Northern Ireland, Scotland (Scottish Parliament), and Wales (Senedd Cymru).
The powers given to Stormont are called Transferred (or Devolved) Powers. These include decisions that directly affect day-to-day life in Northern Ireland:
• Health and social care (hospitals and ambulances)
• Education (schools and colleges)
• Transport and roads
• Agriculture and local environment
Tier 3: Central / National Government (The UK Parliament at Westminster)
Some major powers are kept centrally in London so that the entire UK follows the same rules. These are known as Reserved and Excepted Powers. They include:
• Defence: Armed forces and national security.
• Foreign affairs: International relations and treaties with other countries.
• Immigration: Border control and rules for entering the UK.
• National taxation: Setting major nationwide taxes.
Quick Memory Trick:
• Local Council = Bins, Parks, Planning.
• Stormont (Devolved) = Schools, Hospitals, Roads.
• Westminster (Central) = Defence, Foreign Affairs, Immigration.
Key Takeaway for Section 1: Power is divided between Local Councils (community services), the Devolved Assembly at Stormont (local public services like health and education), and the UK Parliament at Westminster (UK-wide matters like defence and foreign policy).
2. The Northern Ireland Assembly & Executive
The devolved legislature in Northern Ireland meets at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, in Belfast.
Who Sits in the Northern Ireland Assembly?
The Assembly is made up of 90 MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly). Northern Ireland is split into 18 parliamentary constituencies, and each constituency elects 5 MLAs (\(18 \times 5 = 90\)).
The Three Core Roles of an MLA
1. Legislative Role (Making Laws):
MLAs debate, propose amendments to, and vote on devolved laws (called Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly). Individual MLAs can also propose their own legislation, known as a Private Member's Bill.
2. Scrutiny and Accountability (Checking the Government):
MLAs make sure government ministers are doing their jobs properly. They do this by:
• Asking ministers challenging oral and written questions during Question Time.
• Serving on Statutory Committees that examine departmental budgets, investigate policies, and check planned laws line by line.
3. Representation and Constituency Work:
MLAs do not spend all their time at Stormont. A huge part of their job happens in their local communities:
• Holding regular constituency surgeries where local people can come in person to ask for help.
• Handling casework (helping constituents solve problems with housing, school transport, or local health services).
• Advocating for public funding for local community projects.
Crucial Distinction: The Assembly vs. The Executive
Do not mix these two up in your exam!
• The Northern Ireland Executive: This is the government (the decision-makers). It is made up of the First Minister, deputy First Minister, and departmental Ministers. They write policy, draft the Programme for Government, and plan departmental budgets.
• The Northern Ireland Assembly: This is the legislature (the 90 MLAs). Their job is to represent the public, debate policies, pass laws, and hold the Executive ministers to account.
Key Takeaway for Section 2: The 90 MLAs in the Assembly create devolved laws, hold the Executive ministers accountable through Question Time and Statutory Committees, and support local voters through constituency surgeries and casework.
3. The UK Parliament at Westminster
The UK Parliament sits in London and is bicameral, meaning it is made up of two separate debating chambers.
The Two Chambers of Parliament
1. The House of Commons (Elected):
Made up of 650 Members of Parliament (MPs). Each MP represents one single geographical area (constituency). They debate national issues, vote on UK-wide and non-devolved laws, question the government at Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs), and serve on Departmental Select Committees to scrutinise government departments.
2. The House of Lords (Unelected):
An unelected revising chamber made up of Life Peers (appointed for their expertise), Hereditary Peers, and Bishops. They use their experience to review, double-check, and suggest improvements to laws passed by the House of Commons.
How a Proposed Law Becomes an Act of Parliament
Turning an idea into official law is a careful, multi-step process:
• Step 1: The Bill: A proposed law is called a Bill while it is being drafted and debated.
• Step 2: Debates and Scrutiny: The Bill is debated in the House of Commons and House of Lords, where committees examine it line by line and vote on changes.
• Step 3: Approval: Both Houses must agree on the final wording of the Bill.
• Step 4: Royal Assent: The monarch officially approves the Bill. Once it receives Royal Assent, it becomes an official law, known as an Act of Parliament.
Key Takeaway for Section 3: The UK Parliament consists of the elected House of Commons (650 MPs) and the unelected House of Lords. A proposed law is called a Bill until it passes both Houses and receives Royal Assent to become an Act of Parliament.
4. Common Exam Traps to Avoid
CCEA examiners frequently highlight simple mistakes that cost students marks. Watch out for these four common traps:
Trap 1: Confusing MPs and MLAs
Wrong: "I would write to my MP if my local primary school needs a new roof."
Right: Education is a devolved matter, so you contact your MLA. You contact your MP about national matters like defence or foreign relations.
Trap 2: Mixing up the Legislature and the Executive
Remember: The Executive/Cabinet runs the government departments and proposes plans. The Assembly/Parliament debates, challenges, and approves those plans.
Trap 3: Calling everything a "Law" too early
Remember: It is a Bill while it is being debated. It only becomes an Act (a law) after Royal Assent.
Trap 4: Forgetting about Constituency Work
Remember: When asked about the work of an MP or MLA, do not only describe them debating in the chamber on TV! Mention their essential local work: holding surgeries, solving constituent casework, and meeting local community groups.
5. Quick Topic Review
Test your knowledge with this rapid checklist:
• Can you name two powers transferred to Stormont? (e.g., Health, Education)
• Can you name two powers reserved/excepted for Westminster? (e.g., Defence, Foreign Affairs)
• How many MLAs represent each Northern Ireland constituency? (\(5\))
• How many total MLAs sit in the NI Assembly? (\(18 \times 5 = 90\))
• What are the two chambers of the UK Parliament? (House of Commons and House of Lords)
• What is a draft law called before Royal Assent? (A Bill)