Member of parliament facts for kids

A member of parliament (often called an MP) is a person chosen by the people to represent them in a country's parliament. A parliament is a group of people who make laws for a country. MPs usually belong to political parties. They work together in groups called parliamentary groups. In many countries, parliaments have two parts, like two houses. The term "MP" usually refers to members of the lower house. Members of the upper house often have a different title, like "Senator." Other names for similar roles include member of congress or deputy.

Understanding the Westminster System

The Westminster system is a way of running a democratic government. It is based on how the United Kingdom's government works. The name comes from the Palace of Westminster in London, where the UK Parliament meets.

Members of Parliament in Australia

In Australia, a 'member of parliament' is someone in the House of Representatives. This is the main law-making part of the national Parliament. These members can use 'MP' after their names. Members of the Senate, which is the other part of Parliament, are called 'Senators'.

Each Australian state and territory also has its own parliament. Members of these parliaments might be called 'MP', 'MLA' (Member of the Legislative Assembly), or 'MHA' (Member of the House of Assembly). Members of upper houses in states are called 'MLC' (Member of the Legislative Council).

Members of Parliament in Canada

The Parliament of Canada has three parts: the monarch (represented by the Governor General), the Senate, and the House of Commons. Only members of the House of Commons are called 'members of Parliament' (MPs). Members of the Senate are called 'Senators'.

MPs are elected by the people. Senators are chosen by the Governor General on the Prime Minister's advice. Senators must retire at age 75.

Each Canadian province has its own law-making body. Members there are usually called 'Member of the Legislative Assembly' (MLA). In Ontario, they are 'Member of Provincial Parliament' (MPP). In Quebec, they are 'Member of the National Assembly' (MNA). In Newfoundland and Labrador, they are 'Member of the House of Assembly' (MHA).

Members of Parliament in India

In India, a member of Parliament can be from either of the two houses: the Lok Sabha (lower house) or the Rajya Sabha (upper house). The Lok Sabha has 543 members. They are directly elected by citizens from different areas across India. The Rajya Sabha can have 245 members. Most of these are indirectly elected by state legislatures. The President also chooses 12 members for their work in art, science, literature, or social services.

Lok Sabha members serve for five years. Rajya Sabha members serve for six years, with some retiring every two years. The Lok Sabha can be dissolved earlier, but the Rajya Sabha is a permanent house.

Members of Parliament in the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom elects members to its main parliament. These are 650 members of the House of Commons. They are called 'members of Parliament' (MPs). They are elected by a system where the person with the most votes in each area wins.

The UK also has four local parliaments or assemblies. These are in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and London. Members of these bodies have different titles:

• Scottish Parliament: Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP)
• Northern Ireland Assembly: Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA)
• Senedd (Welsh Parliament) (Wales): Member of the Senedd (MS)
• London Assembly: Member of the London Assembly (AM)

To become an MP, a person must be a British, Irish, or Commonwealth citizen. They must be at least 18 years old. MPs are elected in general elections and represent specific areas. They usually serve until Parliament is dissolved, which happens about every five years.

Members of the House of Lords are also part of the UK Parliament. But they are called 'peers' or 'Lords of Parliament,' not MPs. Most Lords are appointed for life. Some are elected by other peers, and some are religious leaders.

Other Parliamentary Systems

Many other countries have parliaments that work differently from the Westminster system. Their representatives might be called 'deputies' or 'parliamentarians' instead of 'members of parliament'.

Members of Parliament in France

In France, members of parliament are called députés (deputies). They are elected to the National Assembly, which is the main law-making body. There are 577 deputies, and they serve for five years.

Members of Parliament in Germany

In Germany, members of the federal parliament, the Bundestag, are called Mitglied des Bundestages (MdB). This means 'member of the Federal Diet'. They represent all the people and are not bound by specific instructions. They are elected in general, direct, free, equal, and secret elections.

Germany also has 16 federal states. Their governments send representatives to the Bundesrat, which is another part of the parliament. These members are not directly elected by the people.

Members of Parliament in Italy

In Italy, members of the lower house, the Chamber of Deputies, are called 'deputies' (deputati). Members of the upper house, the Senate of the Republic, are called 'senators' (senatori). Both deputies and senators are elected every five years. The President can also choose five 'senators for life'.

Members of Parliament in Spain

In Spain, the word parlamentario is used for members of any law-making assembly. This includes members of the national parliament, called the Cortes Generales. The Cortes Generales has two chambers: the Congress of Deputies and the Senate.

Members of the Congress of Deputies are called diputados (deputies). Members of the Senate are called senadores (senators). Spain also has regional parliaments, and their members are also called parlamentarios.

See also

• Deputy (legislator)
• Member of Congress
• Australia and New Zealand Association of Clerks-at-the-Table, an association with the aim of advancing the professional development of parliamentarians.