National politics;

The journalist is considered to be the fourth estate; a watchdog of authority and have privilege of national politics.

Legal rights (1)

John Wilkes (Hero Journalist) was forced into exile many times, he was Major of London, and elected three times whilst in Prison as a Member of Parliament  He  was involved in The North Briton newspaper, which attacked Lord Brute (PM) & King George III, and Contempt of Parliament. John Wilkes is significant in gaining free speech as part of the constitution. He was responsible for reforming parliament and used protection if city of London against Westminster, as well as establishing statutory QP for reporting on Parliament, local authorities and many other statutory QP.

Legal Rights (2) comment/freedom of expression;

Fair comment provides a defence if a comment is supported by facts, is honest, a matter of public interest and not hateful. Defence of libel is much stronger if it is about a public figure. In the US, the representation of the people act allows journalist to publish unbalanced articles about elected officials, without risk of being sued for Libel. It is considered a criminal act if it is broken.  In the UK, rules of privilege mean that whatever is said within the Houses of Parliament can be reported with the defence of qualified privilege.

Westminster - Commons and Lords;

In the House of Commons, voting is known as a division. Parties will try to influence the way MP’s votes by using the whipping system, which come in three levels (one line; voting is optional, two line; voting is necessary unless there is a ‘pair’ absent, and three line; voting is compulsory and disciplinary action may be taken if an MP doesn’t take part). Though there can be a free vote on matters of conscience within the commons.

The House of Lords scrutinizes new bills which have already been passed through the commons and have been voted on using the whips. The Lords is an unelected chamber of government, originally made up of hereditary peers, but now a Lord is usually someone with expertise in a particular area (considered very undemocratic).  For laws to implemented,  it is preferred that the Lords come to the same decision as the Commons, sometimes through much compromising, but  the House of Commons is ultimate superior because of the Parliament Act and in some circumstances can pass a bill without the Lords agreement. The lords are not allowed to vote on taxation and finance.

Hansard is a report of daily proceeding in parliament and available for public viewing. 

Political parties are usually funded by subscriptions from members, donations the wealthy, government funding.