A parliamentary vote is when a motion is passed or defeated by a group in the form of a majority. The rules of parliamentary procedure must be used carefully in order to carry out the wishes of the majority while protecting the rights of the minority. A successful parliamentary system depends on a good balance of these conflicting requirements.
Members of parliament are elected using a range of different electoral systems. In the UK parliament, you vote in your constituency and the person with the most votes becomes your Member of Parliament (MP). Elections are held every five years.
MPs debate issues and put forward legislation that affects the people of Cheltenham. They also ask government ministers questions about current topics including the environment, education and transport.
During debates MPs must stay on topic and keep remarks brief. They must speak only once and wait until all other Members have had a chance to reply. Members should never attack the motives of other Members or question their integrity, but should confine their criticism to the merits of the subject immediately before them. Personal remarks should be avoided and parliamentary names must be used rather than titles.
If a member has any concerns about a motion, they can propose an amendment. This must be related to the intent of the original motion and may not contain new material. The amendment must then be discussed and voted on in the same way as the original motion. A majority is required to pass the amendment.
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