Palace of Westminster

Credit: Free images from acobox.com
We paid a visit to the Palace of Westminster today!

The Palace of Westminster used to be the residence of the kings of England.

It has a medieval style of construction and decoration, with lots of statues and portraits of the British monarch. It is more like a grand museum to visitors.

Seeing the Members of Parliament debating in the old buildings is comparable to imagining today’s Chinese politicians working in the Forbidden City.

Parliament is an essential part of UK politics. Its main roles include examining the government, making new laws, and enabling the government to raise taxes. It has a two-house system, the House of Commons and the House of Lords. They complement each other’s work.

An important event in British politics every year is the State-opening of parliament when people have a chance to see the Queen.

Some ceremonial details in the State-opening are retained. For example, an official representing the Queen, known as ‘Black Rod’, is sent to summon the Commons. In a symbol of the Commons’ independence, the door to their chamber is slammed in his face and not opened until he has knocked on the door with his staff of office. The Commons then follow Black Rod to the Lords’ Chamber and stand behind a bar there to hear the Queen’s Speech.