Parliament

=__Parliament__= toc Parliament is a political institution that has developed over a whole lot of years. During those years two distinct Houses called " Commons and Lords" came together and the balance of power between the Monarchy and Parliament dramatically changed. The origins of Parliament go all the way back to the 12th century, that was when King's councils were held involving barons and archbishops. The people talked about politics and were also involved in taxation and also judgments.

=__**Parliament and the government**__= Parliament and the government both play a role in forming all of the laws of the United Kingdom. Both the Parliament and the government of are separate institutions that work closely together, that makes it easy to mix-up exactly what each body is in charge of or responsible for. Parliament is the highest legislative authority in the UK. It has responsibility for checking the work of the government and also examining and approving all new laws and debating. It is also known as the Legislature.

=__Parliament and Crown__= Alongside the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the Crown is an important role of the institution of Parliament. The Queen plays an important part in opening and closing Parliament and passing Bills before they become a new law. The Crown is another way of going back to the monarchy-which is the oldest part of the system of government in this country. Time has also reduced the power of the monarchy, and today it is also broadly ceremonial. The current UK monarch is Queen Elizabeth II.



=__Devolved Parliaments and Assemblies__= The United Kingdom devolution created a national Parliament in Scotland, a national Assembly in Wales and a national Assembly in Northern Ireland. This process took varying levels of power from the United Kingdom Parliament to the Uk's nations- but they kept authority over the devolved institutions in the UK Parliament itself. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all kept successful referendums on devolution in the late 1990's. This led to the building of separate Parliaments of Assemblies and the democratic election of officials.

=__**Parliament: The building**__= Where Parliament is now has been a center of authority for about a thousand years. Once the home of the royal family, and still officially a royal palace, the buildings that now make up the modern House of Parliament have developed through design, accident and attack. The first known royal palace to occupy Parliament's site was Edward the Confessor's. Parliament officially stays a royal palace and is actually still referred to as the " Palace of Westminster ". The site as used as a royal residence until Henry VIII moved the royal family out in 1512 following a fire. Westminster Hall is the oldest part of Parliament. The walls were built in 1097 and the hall is one Europe's largest medieval halls with an unsupported roof. It was extensively rebuilt during the 14th century.

=__Working at Parliament__= Working at Parliament is a awesome and rewarding job, with the staff supporting and helping improve the most important democratc institution in the UK. There is a range of opportunities to work in the Commons or Lods, or across both Houses, from clerical staff to executive and graduate positions. Thousands of people work for Parliament. Although it's possible to operate for an MP of Lord, we are like any large organisation, with spots in many different offices and departments at every skill level.