The Parliament of Great Britain is the legislative body of that nation. Formally, Parliament consists of the monarch, the House of Commons, and the House of Lords. In common usage, however, the term refers to Commons and Lords only. Virtually all power rests with the House of Commons. The power exercised by Parliament is unlimited, making it in fact the sovereign of the nation.
The House of Commons has about 650 elected members. The maximum period between elections is five years, but the actual timing of an election is usually decided by the Prime Minister. The total membership of the Lords is about 1,200, but the majority of the nation's peers take no active part in the proceedings of the house. Members of the Lords include hereditary peers, life peers, the ten senior judges, the archbishops of Canterbury and York, and 24 bishops of the Church of England. Both houses, and especially the Commons, are organized along party lines. Normally the largest party in Commons forms the government, and the leading members of this party are appointed to senior ministerial positions (the cabinet). They must explain and defend their policies and acts to Commons.
The House of Lords no longer has the power to kill a piece of legislation (a power which allowed it to stall any legislation which might affect the privileges of its members) though it can initiate amendments on bills (except money bills) and delay legislation.
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