Power & Politics:Making Laws

Making Laws• One of the most important things Parliament

does is make laws.• Before one can be made, someone has to have

the idea: whatever could have led them to some of these?

Unusual Laws• in France it’s illegal to call

a pig Napoleon.

Unusual Laws• in Ohio it’s illegal to get a

fish drunk.

Unusual Laws• In Kentucky it is illegal

to carry a concealed weapon more than six feet long.

Unusual Laws• in England all men aged

over 14 must do two hours of longbow practice a day.

Unusual Laws• in Vermont a married

woman must get her husband’s written permission before she may wear false teeth.

“Darling, I found them...”

Unusual Laws• in York it’s legal to

murder a Scotsman inside the city walls, but only if he’s carrying a bow & arrows (like this one).

Unusual Laws• in London it’s illegal to

flag down a taxi if you have the plague.

Unusual Laws• in Florida unmarried

women who parachute on Sundays can be jailed.

Unusual Laws• in San Salvador drunk

drivers may be put in front of a firing-squad.

Unusual Laws• in Lancashire if a

police officer on the seashore has asked you not to incite a dog to bark, & you do, you’re breaking the law.

Unusual Laws• in Indonesia the

penalty for masturbation is decapitation.

Making Laws• so how does an idea

become law in the UK? Let’s find out.

1. Drafting the Bill• at the beginning the

new law is called a draft bill. It has to be drafted (written) very carefully in case any mistakes make it impossible to enforce later.

2. First Reading• at the First Reading

the government tells everyone in Parliament that this is what they intend to do.

3. Second Reading• this time the bill is

explained; Parliament is able to debate reasons for & against passing it, & a vote is taken on whether it should be dropped or carry on its way through the process.

4. Committee Stage• a group of MPs then

examines the bill in detail & suggests changes (which both the House of Commons & the House of Lords must agree on).

5. Report Stage• the Committee

prepares a report on the bill & explains any changes that have been made.

6. Third Reading• the bill is read for a 3rd

time in Parliament; changes may be made, & there is another vote to see if the House wants the bill to become law.

7. The other House• a bill passed by the

House of Commons must be passed by the House of Lords as well, & vice versa; changes must be agreed by both Houses too.

8. Royal Assent• the Queen must also

agree to the bill, & when she does, it becomes law.

• it may take place immediately, or be delayed to get people used to the new idea & make necessary preparations.

Current laws• a few of you please

suggest some laws we have now;

• they’ll go on the board, & we’ll see if you think them fair or unfair (& to whom).

Task• now, in 3s or 4s, get together to create six

laws of your own, three sensible & three more unusual… one group member needs to make sure everyone gets their say.

• consider why your law is needed (what problem is it trying to solve?)

• consider what problems / loopholes there could be with your law

• consider what punishment there should be for breaking your law

one group’s ideas:Sensible laws:• compulsory National Service• raise minimum wage• more time at school to

replace homework• microchip babies at birth• death for murderers/paedos

to free up prison space• study fashion at school

Not-so sensible laws:• compulsory kisses on

Valentine’s Day• legal to drive a car at

age 14• dogs give permission

to go kayaking every Tuesday & Thursday

• no parents’ evenings

another group’s ideas:Sensible laws:• don’t microwave your

hamster• obese people to be fired• no motor vehicles to be used

on a Sunday• no bestiality• anyone can run for Prime

Minister• drug addicts to be executed

Not-so sensible laws:• don’t make explosives

for your animals• all ugly people to be

shot• everything in shops is

to be free• condoms to be worn

on the head• go to the toilet on

Tuesdays only

The vote• each group may now

present one bill• the rest of us will vote

on whether or not to make it into law

We need…• three sensible laws• three silly laws

• in a PowerPoint (ideally)• illustrated (take pictures from the Web)

• save to two computers (in case someone in your group’s away next week)