The House of Commons (Edexcel A Level Politics): Revision Note

What is the House of Commons?

• The House of Commons is the elected chamber of Parliament and has supremacy in the UK government

Membership of the House of Commons

• 650 MPs are elected at each general election

  • Each MP represents a constituency of around 73,000 people

• MPs are elected using first-past-the-post

• MPs are expected to represent their constituents using their judgement and conscience

• Most MPs are affiliated to a political party, which may influence their behaviour

Government formation

• The party with 326 seats or more usually forms the government

• The leader of that party is conventionally appointed Prime Minister

• Ministers and whips sit on the frontbench

  • MPs without ministerial roles are known as backbenchers

Standing for election

• Candidates must be over 18

• A deposit of £500 is required to stand for election

  • This is usually paid by the party the candidate represents

  • The deposit is returned if the candidate receives more than 5% of the vote

Functions of the House of Commons

Legislation

• The House of Commons drafts and passes primary legislation

  • For example, the Coronavirus Act 2020 was passed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic

Scrutiny

• It holds the government to account through questions, debates and committees

  • For example, the Public Accounts Committee repeatedly criticised the government’s handling of HS2

Representation

• MPs raise constituency issues in Parliament

• Prime Minister’s Questions is frequently used to highlight local concerns

Control of finance

• All money bills originate in the House of Commons

• This reflects the fact that the Commons represents taxpayers

  • In November 2025, Rachel Reeves delivered her Budget to the House of Commons

Confidence

• The Commons can remove a government through a vote of no confidence

  • In 2019, Theresa May’s government survived a confidence vote by 325 to 306 votes

• This is distinct from a party leadership confidence vote, which does not automatically remove a government