The Labour Party grew out of the trade union movement and socialist political parties of the 19th century before the First World War. Although after 1825, workers were allowed to form associations, they could not strike for their cause, and unions were not protected by law. However, after 1850, with the entry of mass production techniques, the Industrial Revolution entered a new phase. The number of unions grew, even in towns. New political ideas emerged, due to Socialism, which stressed on equality among men. The 1874 elections saw two workers entering parliament, and slowly, their numbers rose in the coming years.
Initially, though these men supported the Liberal Party, slowly another group emerged within the union with the support of eminent personalities like Bernard Shaw. The Labour Representation Committee was formed in 1893 to select candidates to stand for the polls for the parliament, and in 1900, the Independent Labour Party was formed, heralding a new era in the history of parliament. The party primarily served the poor working class, the aged, and sought the intervention the government to protect the workers in the new industrial society.
The Labour Party grew steadily, and was dedicated to the cause of the workers.
In 1919, the first Labour government under Ramsay Macdonald assumed office, and the Labour Party became a leading political party in Britain.
It was the Indian Independence Act, 1947, that resulted in the origin and growth of the Indian legislature. The executive councils of the Governor General and the Governor in the provinces were expanded into separate sovereign legislative bodies. The act created two independent dominions known as India and Pakistan. On the midnight of 14th August, 1947, the constituent assembly was declared a fully sovereign body, and was given full legislative powers. The first sitting of the assembly was conducted on November 17th, 1947, and Dr. Rajendra Prasad presided as the chairman. The main function of the constituent assembly was to frame a constitution for independent India. The drafting committee under BR Ambedkar recommended the parliamentary type of government, which got a clear majority. On 26th January, 1950, the constitution of India came into force, and the constituent assembly became the provincial parliament of India.
The Simon Commission, named after its Chairman Sir John Simon, was announced by the British government on 26th November, 1927, to report on India's constitutional affairs, and make recommendations on the future Constitution of India. It was boycotted wherever it went with hartals, black flags, and the slogan, "Simon, Go Back!" The report of the commission, which was published in 1930, was rejected by all political parties.
After the Government of India Act, 1919, The Indian Legislative Council was split into a bicameral legislature consisting of a Council of State (Upper House) and a Legislative Assembly (Lower House). The Council of Sate could consist of not more than 60 members, and out of these, not more than 20 could be officials. The strength of the Legislative Assembly was fixed at 140, of which 100 were elected, 26 officials were nominated, and the rest were nominated non officials. The act gave overriding powers to the Governor General. With the freedom of speech, the members had the right to put questions to, and expose the government's activities.
The Indian Council Act 1861 came to be known as the 'prime charter of the Indian Constitution' because it made several reforms in the legislative affairs. The act established the Legislative Councils at the centre, presidencies and provinces. The Council of the Governor General was reconstituted under this Act. An assurance was given that Indians would be appointed to the Council. The Council failed to function anywhere near to a responsible or representative legislative body. However, for the first time in the history of British rule in India, the Council recognized the importance of non-officials in legislative bodies.
The Charter Act of 1833 gave an impetus to legislative centralization thus bringing about important changes in the system of Indian administration. A legislative council was established for all the British territories in India. The authority of the Governor General was extended, and the Governor General's government was called as the 'Government of India', for the first time, and his council as the 'India Council'. The Charter Act enlarged the executive council by the addition of a fourth member. The fourth member was given the charge of giving professional advice in matters regarding the mechanism of law making. Lord Macaulay was appointed as the first law member of the council.
The origin of a parliamentary democracy set up seems to have its origin in the representative bodies and democratic self governing communities in ancient India as early as the Vedic period (3000-1000BC). In the Rigveda, we have references to the institutions Sabha and Samiti, which seem to have the elements of the modern parliament. The Sabha acted as the national judicature, consisting of a small group of selected elderly people, and the Samiti was the general assembly or house of people. Its members were called Visha.
A bill is a proposal for a new law or a change of an existing one. The process of a bill becoming law is lengthy one, as it is approved only after careful attention to details. A bill is presented for debate before the parliament, and approved by the House of Commons and Lords before becoming an Actor Law. Usually most of the bills are presented by government minister. The first reading of the bill takes place as it appears on the daily order paper. During its second reading, the parliament gets a chance to debate on it, and pass the vote. After getting passed, it goes to the committee stage for a detailed examination. Then comes the third reading and after that it goes to the House of Lords. Lastly the Queen gives her Royal assent and the bill becomes law.
As a prelude to every sitting of the House of Commons, the ceremonial Speaker's procession leaves the Speaker's house, towards the Commons Chamber. The Sergeant at Arms carrying the Mace, the symbol of Royal Authority and a door keeper walks in front of the Speaker, with members of the Speaker's staff following him. As the procession reaches the Central Lobby, a policeman shouts, 'Hats off, strangers', and all the policemen and other people remove their headgears in respect, as the procession passes.
In Britain, a new parliamentary session commences with an annual event called the State Opening, presided by the Queen. The Queen, in her stately attire, formally opens the new session of parliament giving a speech from the throne in the House of Lords. The speech outlines the government's proposed plans for the coming year. The Black Rod-an official from the House of Lords- summons the members of the House of Commons to hear the speech. The doors of the Commons are shut when the Black Rod approaches them on this occasion, and he has to knock three times with his ebony staff of office before they are opened. This custom marks the protest against Charles I's interruption of the Commons in 1642, and his attempt to arrest leaders of the opposition. The Commons then proceed to the House of Lords led by their Speaker which is called the Speaker’s procession. They stand behind the Bar of the House of the Lords to hear the Queen's speech. Later the speech is debated in the House of Commons and House of Lords where members voice their opinions.
The members of the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) founded by Mrs. Pankhurst in 1904 were called Suffragettes. This was formed to fight for women's right to vote and for equal status with men. The suffragettes at first, tried peaceful means, through speeches, pamphlets and demonstrations. Upon getting no attention from the parliament, they resorted to more extreme measures like breaking windows, burning empty houses and even chaining themselves to the railings of Hyde Park. However during the First World War in 1914, the suffragettes abandoned their campaign to actively support the war effort. These acts persuaded the government to allow women over thirty to vote in 1918, and later in 1928, women were given equal status with men, and could vote at the age of 21.
The Lords always posed difficulties, whenever the Liberals tried to pass a bill to reform legislation. It got so bad that, at one point, the government decided to put an end to this. The Parliament Bill was thus a weapon to limit the powers of the Lords, especially in matters pertaining to finance and its prominence in legislation. When the Lords attempted to stop this bill's passage, the then Prime Minister Asquith appealed to King George V for help. The king promised the PM, that if necessary, he would create enough new Liberal peers to vote for the approval of the bill. The Lords of course, took a tough stance. The PM again went to the polls in December 1910, and won a clear majority. The king's promise was made public, and the Lords had to concede. On August 10th, 1911, the Parliament Bill became law.
Between 1832 and 1918, the British electoral system was transformed. Each electoral reform, by itself, may not seem very dramatic, but taken together, the series of reforms passed during the period was surely revolutionary. One reform led to another. After the First and Second Reform Acts, an act was passed in 1883 to limit the expenses of election candidates. In 1884, the vote was extended to all householders in the counties. Standing for election, and voting at elections, was no longer the privilege of the rich. By 1918, three-quarters of the adult population could vote, and vote freely, for a range of candidates. This meant that politicians had to work harder to win votes. They had to travel around the country, meeting ordinary people to ask for their votes. Parliament had at last, become truly democratic.